Just realized I was wasting hours on filler work after a job in Tacoma

I was doing a full quarter panel replacement on a 2018 Silverado at a shop up there last fall. The estimator had it clocked for 8 hours of filler and block sanding. I got the metal straight enough that I only needed maybe an hour of actual filler work. Showed the manager the time sheet and he said 'bill the full 8, that's what the system says.' Felt wrong. Now I push back on those padded estimates every time, even if it costs me money short term. How many of you guys are stuck billing for filler time you don't actually need?

3 comments

3 Comments

matthew_wilson4629d ago

Ngl I used to be one of those guys who just went along with the system, figured "it's just how it's done" and took the extra hours. But reading this actually made me rethink that whole mindset. Like yeah the insurance companies build that padding in but it doesn't mean we have to just accept it as normal. You're right that it feels wrong when you know you're billing for work you didn't actually do. It's wild how the estimator's original guess just becomes gospel even when the real job doesn't match up. Respect for sticking to what's honest even if it hits your paycheck short term, that takes guts in this industry.

cora4001mo ago

My uncle runs a body shop and says the insurance companies basically force that padding into the system.

willowroberts1mo ago

Yeah, that "padding" thing is real. Honestly, I just got super detailed photos of everything and sent them myself. It cut out a lot of the back and forth.