Don’t rush to the big name shops just yet.  Yes, they make a lot of promises in their advertising, but in reality these auto body repair services in Beaverton and Hillsboro often don’t deliver on those promises.

Issues to consider:

1. Timeliness of repair. Will they really deliver the car on time?  A lot of shops will quote you a return time based on the obvious damage they see knowing that there is hidden damage that will extend the repair.  Be sure to get a time estimate based on all damage, and if this requires some dismantling, ask for it.
2. Commitment to the estimate. Some shops simply don’t stick to their estimates.  They quote a low price to get you into their shop, then discover more damage they claim they could not see on the initial inspection.  Want to know if your shop is sticking to their estimates?  Google their name and read their reviews.
3. Deductible assistance. Almost all shops offer to help pay your deductible, but do they really follow through?  As noted above, they underquote jobs knowing that the real charge will be inflated later.  At this point, they decline to help with your deductable as promised.  Google their name and read their reviews to see if your auto body repair company in Beaverton or Hillsboro is following through on their promises.
4. Quality of work. Interestingly, this is the source of fewest complaints from customers.  The supply of skilled techs and quality equipment is quite high in 2010, and quality of repairs across the industry is at an all time high.  But, once again, a little investigation into reviews on Google, Yahoo, Angies List, and the BBB will reveal if your shop has been doing quality work.
5. Price. Particularly for minor damage that you will be paying for out of pocket, you will find a WIDE range in prices among body shops.  The large shops typically charge as much as 50% more to cover their advertising and overhead costs.  I strongly recommend using a smaller shop for minor damage (bumper scuffs, scratches, bumper replacements, moulding repairs), as they can offer a very competitive price yet still offer the same quality of work as the larger shops.

One final note about auto body repair in Hillsboro and Beaverton.  Don’t always use the shops that your insurer recommends.  Insurance companies and body shops have a referral relationship that does not favor you.  You pay more and get less because much of the money available for your repair was used as fees in this relationship.  The very best body shops are not on busy roads with big signs.  You can ask friends, family, and other automotive businesses (mechanics are great resources) or read reviews on Google, Yahoo, Yelp, Citysearch, Angies List, and the Better Business Bureau  to find out the truth about the shops you are considering.