Nov. 11, 2014—National AutoBody Research has partnered with the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) to bring the Ray Gunder Real-Time Labor Rate Survey to the state of Texas, the organization announced on Tuesday.
This survey, which measures the current range of market prices for shop labor and material rates in the collision repair industry, first launched in Georgia and Florida in mid-October, and is expanding to larger markets in Texas.
Survey subjects are based on factors such as a shop's location, training, equipment, and certifications.
As repair shops complete the survey, NABR's Variable Rate System calculates the range of market based rates for several labor rates including body, paint, frame, and mechanical labor, as well as paint and material rates in real time.
"We are extremely enthusiastic to work with an up-and-coming, visionary, and energetic association like ABAT, who recognizes the value of our independent survey and VRS technology, all for the purpose of helping Texas shops know their market and cost structures better and what rates to charge to earn a fair, reasonable, and sufficient profit for their individual shop," Richard Valenzuela, CEO of NABR, said in a release.
In addition to Texas, NABR recently launched the Ray Gunder Survey in Florida and Georgia. The Company plans to launch surveys in all states nationwide to add labor rate data to its VRS system, creating the industry's first and only independent, third-party, and objective source of real-time, national labor rate data.