You have a few choices when refinishing a door shell or panel. Your computer-assisted estimating system may make that choice. Sometimes you make the choice. Sometimes you may not know you have a choice.
Audatex provides 3.2 hours for re-finishing a replaced door panel on one model. Repairing the door shell and selecting it for refinish automatically adds 0.0 hours. Not a good choice.
On a different model, CCC shows 2.3 hours for door panel replacement refinish with an extra 0.5 for edges and another 0.5 for inside, each showing on separate lines. Refinishing the same model's replaced door shell shows only one line for 3.3 hours with no mention of edges or inside. CCC shows every labor add or deduction on a separate line, but why not here?
On a third model, Mitchell shows 2.2 hours for refinish of a replaced door shell plus 1.0 hour for jambs and interior, or 3.2 total. The same model shows 2.2 hours for refinish of a replaced door panel plus 0.5 for jambs only with 1.0 hour for jambs and interior as an additional choice. If selected, 3.7 hours would be the total refinish for the door panel.
Confusing? Note that doors are unique parts. First, the door panel is a component of the door shell with the same outer surface and the same outer surface refinish time. Second, if the door panel is damaged enough to be replaced, chances are good that the door shell needs some repair and may need additional refinishing. Finally, a replaced door panel or shell automatically has some edge and inside refinish labor added while repairs do not.
Keeping the estimate refinish accurate for either part can be a challenge because of all the variables and overlaps. Audatex automatically includes edges and inside as needed for door shell or door panel replacement. The estimate won't show this, but it's there. clearcoat for edges and inside is automatically applied when the "Two-Stage -Inter-ior Surfaces" option is present. If repairs are needed on the jambs or interior, additional refinish for them may also be needed. Add it with a manual entry.
CCC's door shell replacement refinish always contains surface, edging and inside; that's the way MOTORS defines it. There are no additional lines to show it. Door panel replacement refinish shows the extra lines when applied. For refinishing edges, inside and underside, this system has three setting choices: add with clearcoat, add without clearcoat, or show prompt for choices. This is a user setting for con-venience and choices can be changed through a damage line's "properties" window. Check edging, inside and clearcoat on them in the "properties" window for repairs. Each selection will have its own line on the estimate.
Mitchell automatically adds jambs and interior refinish to door shell replacement. If the door panel replacement also has door shell damage and needs refinish beyond the jambs amount already supplied, select additional refinish through the refinish detail window. The additional choice is "Add for Jambs and Interior" and will be added without any deduction. Because refinish jambs is already on the estimate, this is not appropriate and a manual entry would more clearly describe needed interior refinish labor.
Still confused? Don't be. If you know what's needed for proper repair of the door in question, just make sure the estimate reflects exactly that. You are going to refinish the door correctly anyway, so you might as well make sure the estimate accurately shows and properly compensates what you did.
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. Contact him at [email protected].
