D.E.G. ESTIMATING TIPS

ESTIMATING TIPS

CCC and Mitchell: Wheel R/I Not Included in

Bumper Labor Time - CCC and Mitchell have confirmed that labor to R/I wheels to gain access for bumper removal is NOT INCLUDED. It’s important to always reference the specific vehicle chapter footnotes to verify if any specific operations are included.

Audatex may or may not include wheel R/I labor. Always reference the estimate labor report.

CCC DEG Inquiry 17764 “Estimated Release Date: Closed Proposed Resolution: MOTOR stated: After review of your concern, the R&I

of Wheel is “Not Included” with Overhaul of Front Bumper.”

Mitchell DEG Inquiry 17360 “Proposed Response Text: Thank you for your inquiry, Per P-Page for front and rear bumpers,

removing and installing the wheel has not been factored into the R&I bumper labor

allowance. Inner fender liners and wheel opening moldings are not included. It would be noted if they were.”

All Three Estimating Systems: OEM Required

Safety Inspections – OEM specific safety inspections may be a required procedure and are NOT INCLUDED in all three estimating system published labor times.

Examples of “Safety Inspection” operations that cannot be verified by scanning could be: • Measure steering column to confirm it has not collapsed; • Physical seat belt retractor test; • Seat frame diagnosis for twisting and/or binding; • Physical SRS component inspection.

In DEG Inquiry 12928, MOTOR states, “After review of the concern, ‘Vehicle Safety Inspections’ are not listed in the MOTOR Guide To Estimating and is not an included operation.”

The Audatex DBRM section 4-2 Labor Exclusions page 43 lists, “Diagnosis and testing of electronic components or systems (e.g., airbags)” under NOT INCLUDED.

The Mitchell CEG section on Labor General Information > Additions to Labor Times identifies “Time to aim/calibrate/diagnose/ re-set/scan or test.”

Always reference OEM repair service information for the latest and most up-to-date procedures for any recommended and/or required inspections and repairs needed.

Audatex: Prime and Block Not Included for

Non-exposed Inner Structure Panels – In DEG Inquiry 17915 the response from Audatex states, “Prime and Block operations are only included for exposed welds on exterior panels.”

An example would be replacing inner structure items or frame rail sections.

Audatex users may find this confusing when referencing Audatex DBRM page 150, Section 4-4 Refinish Guidelines:

“Feather/Prime/Block - Audatex recognizes that Feather/Prime/Block are required operations when replacing welded-on panels. Time to perform this operation is included in the Audatex time for welded panel replacement in the seamed areas, to bring the panels to the condition of a new, undamaged panel for the purpose of refinish.”

In summary, Prime and Block is only included on exterior weld-on panels, such as a quarter panel installed at the OEM-designated seams or exterior aperture panels replaced at the welded seams.

All Three Systems: Additional Preparation

Stone Guard & Textured Areas – Some vehicles may come from the OEM with chip guard/stone guard applied to the rocker areas under the painted areas. There may be instances where a repair may only need to refinish or blend over the textured areas. Refinish times in all three estimating systems do not account for any additional labor that may be needed to properly prep the textured areas with peaks and valleys in the texture. Any additional labor to bring the panel to “new and undamaged condition” would be an “on-the-spot evaluation.”

DEG Inquiry 18007 response from all three IPs:

Mitchell Please reference the following from the Refinish General Information section of procedure 28. Refinish times in this Guide pertain to NEW, UNDAMAGED PARTS. The steps required for refinishing a repaired and/ or used panel may vary from those required for a new panel depending on the condition of the repaired and/or used panel. CCC/MOTOR After review of your concern, the extra prep time for the area with stone guard would need to be an “On the Spot Evaluation” mutually agreed upon by estimators.

Audatex We have reviewed the current information for the stone guard. Per the database reference manual refinish exclusions, the stone guard is not included in Audatex refinish times. The database reference manual also states that the removal of protective coatings, or other materials impeding replacement, R&I, or refinishing of parts is not included. No change warranted at this time.

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY - it is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repair is in a position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair. You can view these tips and others on the DEG website, DEGWEB.ORG.