Adding Not Included Operations To Your Auto Estimates

First Year Students
The first year students are currently learning how to write auto repair estimates. One of the things we are focusing on is not-included items. The reason this is important is because many estimators in the industry are missing a lot of the not-included items. After researching and asking the industry for feedback from different websites like collision hub, I decided to focus more on the not-included items this year.

Second Year Students
The second year students are performing a lot of live work this semester. They need to understand the basics thoroughly this semester; after this semester they will be out in the industry. We are currently working on a Dodge Charger, which needs two door skins and and some bodywork. This is a great job, as they will do a lot of door skin in the industry. However, as we mentioned in class, many shops do not like to skin doors. This is because skinning a door skin does not seem to pay well. This actually aligns with what were doing in our first year class, which is looking for ways to get paid for everything we do.

For example, the estimating guide gives 6.0 hours to skin the door on the Charger. The CCC Pathways database state the included operations are:

INCLUDED:
• Adhesive application if required (all types)
• Applique
• Belt molding
• Caulk / seam sealer
• Cutting & welding as necessary
• Door R&I
• Flutter material application if required
• Grind, fill and smooth welded seams (up to 150 grit sandpaper)
• Inside handles & bezels
• Lock and cylinder assembly (if necessary)
• Outside door handle
• Trim panel R&I
• Water shield
• Weatherstrips (if attached to door)

That is quite a bit to do for 6.0 hours of time. However, there are a lot of additional operations that you must do as well. If you just point and click to skin the door, you will be leaving much of the necessary operation off of the estimate. Let’s take a look at the non-included operations listed in the CCC Pathways database.

NOT INCLUDED:
• Back glass wiper or washer
• Body side moldings
• Clean up broken glass
• Emblems & nameplates
• Glass
• Hinge
• Lock cylinder recoding
• Mirror
• Moldings
• Passive restraint system
• Power lock option
• Power window option
• Reinforcement bar
• Straightening of door frame
• Stripe tape, decals or overlays

You also need to remember when you’re generating auto repair estimates that the time given in the estimating guides are for new undamaged parts. If you are dealing with rusted or corroded bolts, or straightening damages parts to get to the blots, you will need to add additional time. An estimator needs to check the not included operations list for every part they replace. This will help pay the technician for everything they must do to repair the vehicles back to its pre-accidental condition.