Estimation Services Council Bluffs IA

By Michael Regan
7/1/1997

It used to be so easy to write an estimate.
Easy, that is, until the ARMS people announced to the country: "A customer doesn't need an estimate. The customer is in pain and wants his vehicle made whole again."
This tiny piece of information had a huge - and dramatic - effect on many leading shop owners - shop owners who immediately went about changing their approach to vehicle owners and to writing estimates.
It's taken much longer, however, for the industry as a whole to recognize that how you approach writing an estimate is the absolute key to profitability.

The Purpose of an Estimate
First and foremost, the estimate creates a blueprint of operations and procedures required to restore the vehicle to its preaccident condition. A well-written estimate will generate an accurate parts order and work order that give technicians all the vital information they require to perform repairs without delays or interruptions.
Second, a thorough estimate is a powerful selling tool that can remove doubts from a vehicle owner's mind about choosing your shop.
And finally, how you compose an estimate and how well you understand the system you use to generate an estimate will have a measurable impact on the profitability of your business.

Improving Your Bottom Line
To start, you need to learn all you can about the computerized estimating system or the crash books you use. There are considerable differences between systems, and ...