Rising paint and materials costs have been an issue for years, as insurance reimbursement rates have remained largely flat. According to data from Mitchell’s Refinishing Materials Calculator, paint and materials made up 10.63 percent of the average appraisal value during Q4 2014, representing a 0.17 increase from Q4 2013. The average paint and materials rate was $32.76 per refinish hour in Q4 2014, compared to $32.06 in Q4 2013. 

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