Let's open the door for estimating doors with a few questions to narrow down and define the choices for your particular damaged door.
Should it be repaired?
Is it practical to repair this damage?
Can the panel shape and contour lines be restored in a reasonable manner?
Does the door need to be disassembled for repairs?
Is it economical to repair this damage?
Should the door panel be replaced?
Is the door shell also damaged?
Can the door shell be repaired?
Is the door side beam either undamaged or damaged and replaceable?
Is there an approved sectioning opportunity available?
Should the door shell be replaced?
Is the door shell damaged extensively?
Is the door beam damaged and not replaceable?
Are there internal or hardware parts that also need repair or replacement?
Is a recyclable (salvage) part practical and available?
Each decision will have a different application in your estimating system. Entering a repair would show how many hours of repair it would take to exceed replacement cost. This is only a guide, and, usually with repair time getting that large, a repair choice is already impractical. If disassembly is needed for backside access, select R&I operations as needed. Let your system figure labor for these parts and any appropriate overlap. These additional estimate lines clearly show what is to be done.
A door panel replacement choice should trigger a quick check of your system's procedure pages. For example, Audatex states, "Due to extensive variations, bodyside trim R&I are not included for side sliding doors, side cargo doors, and rear cargo doors on vans. Select appropriate part R&I operations as needed." When in doubt, add R&I trim parts anyway. The estimate will calculate appropriate labor and clearly spell out what is to be done.
CCC and Mitchell systems do not include door mirror or door glass removal as general "not included" items. If the door has a mirror and/or the door glass should be removed for safety, add these as R&I items. Again, this lets your estimating system calculate appropriate labor.
Options are important for all systems when door R&I is needed. Make sure your extra work with power windows and power locks is compensated on the estimate by making sure those options are shown on the estimate. If they are "standard" options on a particular model, they are already factored into the pre-stored labor.
A door shell replacement choice has pre-stored labor to remove most parts from the damaged door and installation of them in the new door. Of course, mouldings and ornamentation are not included. If any parts are damaged, select replacement for them in your estimating system. There may be additional labor for additional disassembly, such as a door glass channel.
If many internal door parts also are damaged, a recyclable (or salvage) assembly would be an appropriate choice. Pre-stored labor generally includes R&I door assembly plus a few common tasks such as trim panel and lock cylinder transfer. Check your procedure pages for system specifics. You may need other parts transferred or replaced and will need to disassemble a good deal of the salvage door to refinish it properly. Use your system to add pre-stored labor for the needed operations.
Don't forget the third "R." To transfer a part, for example a window run channel, you need to Remove the good one from the damaged door, Remove the unneeded one from the salvage door, and Reinstall the good one in the salvage door, R&R&R. Also, add for other clean up or refurbishing operations needed to turn the recyclable door into a recycled door.
Because you see so many of them, estimating door repairs may have become too routine. Open the door to new ideas and make sure your procedures are up-to-date.
Bruce Burrow, AAM, started writing estimates more than 30 years ago, has worked for most of the information providers, and, as an independent instructor for the last 10 years, has trained estimators all across North America. He is ASE Master certified and an instructor for the Automotive Management Institute. Send questions, ideas, and comments that you would like to see addressed here to [email protected] and stay tuned.
