There still is some confusion concerning the operation of feather, prime and block. There is no doubt that this is a necessary step in surface repair. There also is no doubt this operation is being done. The question is how to account for it in your estimating system. Consider this example.
A customer comes in with a damaged vehicle.
1. The vehicle has a key scratch down the length of the left quarter panel. What will you put on your estimate?
You will select panel refinish, but refinish labor in your estimating system begins with a new panel surface. A panel with a key scratch is not a new panel surface. Some repair needs to be done, but it is not metal straightening. We typically list it on the estimate as a repair although we could define the operation as feather, prime and block (so your estimate will have repair labor to bring the panel back to a new panel surface and from that point will accurately apply pre-stored refinish labor from your estimating system). Feather, prime and block will be done and that's what will be paid.
2. The vehicle has several parking lot dents down the length of the left quarter panel. What will you put on your estimate?
You will determine a repair labor amount in hours and select panel refinish from your estimating system. Repair labor will include metal straightening. Refinish labor begins after the panel is returned to the level of a new panel surface. Therefore, repair labor must include all operations to repair those parking lot dents and bring the surface back to the level of a new panel, including feather, prime and block. Similar to the key scratch example, time for these procedures must be included in the repair labor because, by definition, it is not included in the refinish labor. An alternative could be less repair time and a separate entry for feather, prime and block. Either way, feather, prime and block will be done and will be paid.
This doesn't answer the question of who will do the work. That depends on your procedures in your shop. If your paint department does the work, proper compensation becomes an accounting issue. For example, if body technician procedures are to repair metal surfaces to 150 grit, a painter needs to continue the repair to the level of a new panel surface. This "gap" between 150 grit and new panel surface is a feather, prime and block operation. It is not new. It has always been done and has always been paid for - somewhere. In this example, repair labor would need to be allocated between the departments or technicians, separating repair from feather, prime and block.
Another possibility would be an entry for feather, prime and block in addition to a repair labor amount. Repair labor would then need to be defined. Maybe you would define metal repair to a 150 grit finish and feather, prime and block from 150 grit to new panel surface. This would clearly define the operations and the division of labor, if that is appropriate for your shop.
This still leaves a question. Will additional materials for the repair be charged on the estimate? If the key scratch repair is listed as a sheet metal labor operation, no materials will be automatically calculated. Charges for additional materials, if any, would be an additional entry. If the key scratch repair is calculated as a refinish operation, additional materials would be automatically calculated at the regular paint and materials rate. This depends on how you recover repair material costs in your market.
Review your procedures for feather, prime and block and how it gets done in your shop. Review your policies for reimbursement of repair labor, feather, prime and block, and materials. Ensure your estimate and final bill reflect what was done and that you are adequately compensated.
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