"BUMPER OVERHAUL includes R&R and replace any damaged parts. Does NOT include R&R Front Gravel Shield or accessory guards."
That's all there was for estimating bumper overhaul in Mitchell's procedure pages, circa 1960. It looks rather simple. But then, bumpers were rather simple too. They were mostly chrome bars and did not yet have reinforcements, energy absorbers or other collision management designs. Back then, it would have been hard to imagine plastic, radar and cameras being a part of bumper replacement estimating.
Of course we have all of that and more today. For the most part, bumpers now consist of a plastic bumper cover over a system designed for absorbing and directing collision energy. They may also include headlamps, grilles and those other innovations noted earlier. All this makes repairing bumpers much more involved and requiring far more attention to detail when estimating damage involving them. With hidden absorbers, reinforcements, brackets and sensors, disassembly is usually needed to get an accurate list of damaged parts essential for efficient repairs.
While many bumper covers can be repaired, others may not. With today's plastic repair materials and techniques, good quality bumper cover repairs can be done in the shop. You might think about acquiring the skills and equipment needed for these repairs to generate more in-house labor. However, many of the hidden parts cannot be repaired. High-strength steel (HSS) reinforcements, plastic absorbers and electronic sensors need to be replaced when damaged. Your shop must make sure each bumper system will perform as designed should there be another collision.
When estimating your next damaged bumper system, take a look at your procedure pages. This becomes more important with every passing model year. Get familiar with your estimating system as well as the others. Each information provider shows which items are included in bumper replacement and overhaul labor. More importantly, they also list which operations may be needed and are not included.
Mitchell specifically excludes impact absorbers and mounting arms. They also exclude optional accessories, including auxiliary lamps, brush guard, fog lamps, headlamp washer systems, laser/radar cruise control sensors, parking aid sensors and spoilers. Exterior adhesive trim would also have to be considered an addition to bumper replacement labor.
MOTORS excludes the air bag sensor, battery, distance sensor, energy absorber (if mounted to frame rail), lamps (when not mounted in bumper), license bracket and valance panel/spoiler (when not mounted to bumper).
Audatex does not include the license plate or bracket, ornamentation, non-standard equipment not identified as options, and trimming, repair or modification of a part.
Labor for aiming lamps or replacing stripes, decals, transfers and overlays is not included in bumper replacement labor for any of the estimating systems. If these are needed, make sure these operations are on the estimate for proper labor calculations and reimbursement.
Don't forget refinishing operations that might be needed for exterior surface refinish procedures. For example, some unprimed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) bumper covers may still contain mold release agents. They must be removed for proper coating adhesion. This step is not included in any of the estimating systems' refinish labor. Remember to include a judgment amount for this operation when needed.
With bumpers and bumper system parts being damaged so frequently, estimating their replacement labor becomes especially important. Take a few minutes to review your estimating system's labor procedures as well as your own local estimating policies to make sure your estimates are accurate and consistent.
Bumpers aren't as simple as they once were. Your estimates shouldn't be either.
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 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.
