The Best, or a Very Good Body Shop?
 

So after barely three months of purchasing my brand new Civic, it was involved in a hit in run.
Doesn't look too bad but the bumper will need to be repainted and the headlight will need to be changed, $1500 quote from ICBC

I'm looking to see if you guys have any recommendations for a good body shop?
I realize that it's only a Civic and I don't need the best, but 23k 3 months later, it would kind of hurt to not have great work done to it, especially if it's through ICBC

I did a little bit of searching and most of the info is out of date
Seems like lots of people like Rich City but AK Autoworks is hit or miss?
[Source: http://www.revscene.net/forums/best-...-t592774.html]

I don't really mind bringing it anywhere in the Lower Mainland if it's going to get good craftsmanship but I live in Surrey
Will also want a temporary car

Thanks for the tips in advance!

[Edit] Oops, forgot to mention I'm looking for ICBC repair shops

Do a search. This is probably one of the most discussed topics ever...

You can take it to Mastercraft Carstar on Bridgeport. They fixed my honda s2000 there and I had the best overall experience. I was there on a Thursday and they took me in right away and I got in a loaner car within minutes.

Have seen amazing jobs done by Rich city Collisions in Richmond.

They can water down the price to accommodate you with a courtesy car if you'd wish.

http://www.411.ca/business/British-C...rs/294542.html

Tom's Auto Body by my house always has really nice cars in it, that's where I would probably take my car if for whatever reason i felt inclined to have something cosmetic fixed.

I'm sure I recall saying in the OP that I did do a search and the info was out of date...
The most (and only) recent thread was already sourced
And judging by how lots of people are talking about shops losing their "touch" over time just proves that up-to-date info would be a good idea
I'd appreciate if you gave any sort of input but that post was not so helpful
If it is through ICBC, wouldn't the cost be under ICBC?
or do they go through a different sort of procedure?
Any personal experience, or experience from friends/family?

check out our photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bavara

we also have a flat deck tow truck and offer door to door drop off and pick up utilizing our fleet of BMW 3 series courtesy cars.

A-Z Euro Auto Care! Amazing shop, been in business for 20+ years. An old-school family business that still follows the craftsman apprentice style methodology. Only place I've gone to for my, and my family's cars for the past 15 years. Courtesy cars not an issue.

Call 'em at 604.293.1271 and ask for Dean (owner), and make sure you mention Rich referred you! The folks who opened up Mastercraft in Richmond are actually related to Dean (uncle, cousin or something...I forget).

Pops had a ding on the 02 XC fixed there a couple years ago, no complaints. Can't offer more than that sorry.

One thing about Tom's is they apparently have so much business that it would take more than 2 months to do something simple like paint a bumper. Don't know if this has changed, but I definitely wouldn't take anything there, especially if you're under time constraint.

Does your shop have access to ICBC salvage?

If so, you guys should check out the m6 that's there. Pretty sick.
Obviously it would be for yourself. Good luck trying to resell a rebuilt m6.

mtm autobody in surrey did a great job, friend knows a person there, introduced me to him, i got involved in a hit & run too, my rear quarter panel was dented and my paint was maddd chipped, other body shops gave me a 1100-1300 quote but i got it done for 450 at mtm and they did a great job, its been almost a year now ever since and no problems what so ever

The "BEST" autoshop.. won't deal with ICBC rates.. They charge double their rate. It is simple as that.

You will get a loaner no matter which shop you go to, since you are going through ICBC. Some shop will give you a voucher to rent.

It is more important for you to learn your rights as a customer going through ICBC.. ie what to look when and what to look for when you pick up the car, and what to do in case the shop's QA slipped up, the ICBC complaint / resolution process.. than to find the "best" shop.. because even the best shop screws up.. it is human.

We do autobody work.
Are you paying the deductible? Or are you paying the $1500 yourself?

For future reference, what are some of those shops?

Bismarks in Richmond

everyone has their own personal preference

Am I evil when I LOL'D when I saw this pic?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/...b03a6e86_o.jpg

no dude, u werent the only one..


:haha::haha::haha:

^^ :lol I was thinking the exact same thing.

i took my car there too - they did teh WORST job you could imagine, had to deny taking it back twice

car was broken into (through sunroof) - first time, glass in the centre consol, and in teh seats (so much that my hand was bleeding from it) - PRETTY FUCKING OBVIOUS!!!!

2nd time, they'd dripped paint down the side of my car - just sloppy, lazy work... i also had tape stuck to the bottom of my car, and they didn't put the front of my grill on right (stock TL-S grill, scum climbed up my bonnet, denting/scratching it to get to my sunroof... fucking crack heads)

acura sent us there, saying htat's where they send their cars... after what i'm going to report back, acura may be considering other options.. they were PISS POOR! never go there

oh, and my brother went there and had problems with them re: overspray... and they generally did a bad job on his car (stupidly, i didn't ask him before i took mine there, i took acura's word... bad idea)

Good to know I was going to take my 350z there to paint my nismo front bumper (they wanted almost $600)

Ak Autoworks :thumbsup:

ak autoworks sucks, dont go thr. was good at one point , not anymore...
i need to get work done also, im might go to Penney auto.. friend's brother is the owner..

btw. thr is no best place. none of the places are consitant over time.. it depends who they get to work on ur car. it could be expert or could be a noob.