Are you looking for a way to make your auto repair estimates faster and accurate without manual calculations and the risk of errors?
Are you tired of hours of calculating the costs of parts and labor and want to generate an estimate in minutes?
Creating accurate estimates in an auto repair shop can lead to a headache. But there is a solution to make this whole process much easier.
The solution: auto repair estimating software!
This software solution not only helps you generate fast and accurate estimates but also helps in improving shop efficiency and customer experience.
Let’s get into more detail about what this software has to offer, what some common challenges are, and how this software benefits you.
Key Features of Auto Repair Estimating Software
Auto repair estimate software offers a wide variety of features that can help you create accurate and fast estimates for your customers. Let’s have a look at the key features you can utilize to stay competitive and address the common pain points that auto repair shop owners face daily:
1. VIN Lookup Integration
The first step in creating an estimate is to add vehicle details. Forget about adding vehicle details manually. Simply use the VIN lookup integration and enter a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) code made up of letters and numbers.
The software will automatically pull up the make, model, year, and engine size. This automated method eliminates the need for manual entry of details. It also reduces the chance of errors and saves more of your time.
2. Real-Time Parts Pricing
The next step is to add the parts and supplies to the estimate. With updated pricing, there are no chances of inaccuracy, and estimates are reliable.
You can add a job manually, or you can use canned jobs, labor guide, and quick jobs. The software integrates with parts suppliers like Nexpart and PartsTech to provide you with real-time pricing.
You can easily search and compare the parts from different suppliers in a single dashboard. This way, the quotes are based on the current market prices. It also helps in preventing any unwelcome surprises for your customers.
3. Digital Estimate Approval
Making phone calls can be time-consuming. The most common issue is the unavailability of customers. Once the estimate is created, you need customer approval. For fast approvals, this software offers a digital estimate approval feature. You can easily send an approval request via email or SMS.
The customers can confirm the approval so you can start repair work, or they can reject it if they are not satisfied. This helps you save time instead of waiting for the customer’s approval or staring off the repair work without getting approved.
This digitized method helps improve customer experience as they do not have to come to visit in person. Moreover, a speedy process helps gain their trust in your services.
4. Labor Time Guides Integration
Estimating software has an integrated auto repair labor time guide, which plays an important role in creating accurate digital estimates for auto repair shops. This feature uses Epicor, an industry-standard labor guide, to ensure all the labor costs are aligned with the repair jobs. This way, the customers aren’t undercharged or overcharged.
Moreover, labor guides ensure that none of your technicians are underpaid or overpaid. Using the automotive repair labor guides provides reduced discrepancies in pricing and improves overall consistency in the workflow.
5. Templates for Common Repairs
One of the best features of auto repair shop management software is the templates for common repairs. These templates save more time as there is no need to manually enter details every time. Moreover, the estimates are made within a few minutes instead of hours. The pre-built templates for frequently performed services speed up the entire estimating process.
6. Digital Record Keeping
If you are still using a manual data recording method, then you are familiar with the time required to add and search different entries. Also, storing the paperwork requires more space.
However, with digital record keeping, there is no need to have a separate space for just the paperwork. Also, there is no need to go through different files to search for a single customer.
Now, auto repair shops can easily store, retrieve, and manage customer data with digital record-keeping. This feature helps in the easy tracking of estimates, approvals, and invoicing. You can access the records anywhere, anytime.
Benefits for Auto Repair Shops
Still unsure about making the switch to an automotive repair estimating solutions?
Using auto repair estimate tools has various benefits for your shop. It not only improves the efficiency of overall operations in the shop but also enhances customer service. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits that can help you expand your auto repair business:
1. Improved Accuracy
Do you know the main reason that auto repair shops require estimating software? Its accuracy!
With integrated tools like updated pricing and labor guides, there are little to no chances of errors. Based on real-time data, you can easily give your customers a fair and accurate estimate.
This way, you can rest assured that the customers are not overcharged or undercharged. Moreover, it ensures that your employees are neither underpaid nor overpaid.
2. Increased Estimate Approval Rates
Auto repair shops can easily increase the number of approved estimates when using the digital approval method. Decreasing the need to make phone calls and not getting connected with the customers, digital approval allows customers to have a quick look at quotes through SMS.
The customers can approve or reject the estimates on the spot. This directly benefits you in terms of the shop’s revenue. The higher the chances of approval, the higher the revenue.
3. Time Savings
Time is money in repair shops! If there is a delay in any task, it can affect the whole schedule of the day. This is why when everything is on schedule, there are no worries or pressure to complete repair jobs.
One of the primary benefits of an automotive repair estimate solution is to help you save time through automated calculations and data entry. Whether it is scheduling, estimating, or invoicing, each operation can be completed within minutes and with just a few clicks.
4. Modernized Customer Experience
Customer experience matters when it comes to the auto repair business. If customers are not satisfied, it can directly hit your shop’s reputation in the market. That is why providing professional and modernized customer services can help you grow your business.
Offering convenient services to the customers, like digital approvals, communication throughout the repair work, digital invoicing, etc, can leave a lasting impression on customers. They are more likely to return to your shop when they feel like they are taken care of. And they will surely recommend your shop to their friends and family.
5. Enhanced Record Keeping
Digital record-keeping means no more paperwork. When there is no paperwork involved, you cut the costs associated with it. Moreover, you save more space in the shop as there is no need to store the files.
With digitized options, keep digital records of the customers, their vehicles, and their preferences. Using the previous history, you can offer personalized services to the customers. Moreover, you can easily track the repair jobs and follow up with the customers in case of future maintenance. This helps in gaining customer trust.
Common Problems Without Estimating Software
It is not a secret that each business has to face some challenges. The auto repair business is no different. Let’s be honest; manual or traditional methods of fixing vehicles and running a shop have more challenges.
Without mechanic estimating software, you are most likely relying on manual calculations, outdated pricing, and handwritten bills. All of this can lead to numerous issues. Let’s see how:
1. Time-Consuming Manual Calculations
Not everyone is good with numbers, and manual calculations can take up a huge chunk of time. Still, there are chances of errors. Employees have to spend extra time to double check if there are any errors, delaying the service times and affecting the customer service.
2. Human Errors
Human errors are common, and there is no shame in that. However, when it comes to pricing, these errors need to be eliminated. Even a minor miscalculation or quoting price of an incorrect part can damage customer trust and your profitability. One single mistake can be costly in the long term.
3. Lack of Standardization
When there is no standardization, there are inconsistencies in pricing. Inconsistency in pricing shows that the technicians are not on the same page. There are doubts and confusion among them while customers are dissatisfied.
There are high chances of complaints about being charged unfairly because of a lack of standardization. As easy it is to make a minor mistake, the outcome can be disastrous, resulting in a damaged shop reputation in the auto repair market.
4. Difficulty Tracking Estimates and Historical Data
Estimates and customer data are very important, and managing multiple tasks at the same time can be hectic.
There’s a lot to handle, such as tracking the progress of each estimate, repair order, or invoicing, reviewing past jobs manually, not finding the customer record because of missing files, etc. All of these issues lead to complicating the overall customer experience.
5. Negative Customer Experience
Nobody wants to give their customer a negative experience. However, without auto repair software, it is possible. With slow service and inaccurate estimates, customers can get frustrated. Long wait times and lack of transparency can fuel up the situation. Lack of standardization and inconsistent pricing may confuse the customers. All of this can easily lead to lost business.
Who Should Use Auto Repair Estimating Software?
Estimating software is ideal for different automotive repair businesses. Let’s see who should use this software:
1. Small to Medium Independent Auto Repair Shops
Small to medium-sized auto repair businesses can greatly benefit from this software. They are yet to expand, so there are good chances of organizing the shop and improving the accuracy. Offering professional customer service and efficient workflow can also help make a good name in the market.
2. Larger Multi-Location Repair Businesses
Larger auto repair businesses that are operating in different locations are in more need of using estimating software. Why?
That’s because it is not easy to manage all the shops in different locations and maintain consistency. For that, automated systems are more likely to help standardize the processes. There are a lot more chances of confusion and inconsistencies when running a business in multiple locations.
3. Specialty Repair Services
Specialty repair service shops that offer services for transmissions, brakes, and other similar auto repair services can use the software to customize the estimates for each service. Having different templates for each type of service helps save more time instead of having a similar template and filling in details for each service separately.
5. Collision and Body Repair Shops
Although not always the focus, collision and body repair shops can also benefit from this software when it comes to estimations. It helps in quoting the repair processes and ensures that costs for labor and parts are added correctly.
How to Get Started with Auto Repair Estimating Software?
Now that you know how useful estimation software is, you surely want to get your hands on one. But how do you decide on getting one when there are several options available in the market?
Here are some tips on how you can get started with the software:
1. Choose the Right Software
The first thing is to research. Consider the important factors like the needs of your shop, budget, etc. Compare different options and see which one is a perfect fit for your repair shop. Ensure that the software has real-time pricing for parts, labor guides, and digital approvals.
2. Staff Training and Onboarding
Having a trained staff is important so there are no issues when using the software. Ensure that each technician is trained properly on the usage of the software. This helps in transitioning to technology easier. The sooner everyone is familiar with the usage of software, the sooner you can start benefiting from it by speeding up the overall operations in the shop.
3. Integrate Into Daily Workflow
Once the implementation and training are done, start using the software in day-to-day operations. It becomes a part of all the processes, helping in the transition from manual to automated easier. As the technicians keep using the software, they become more comfortable and confident, resulting in faster and accurate estimates every time.
4. Ongoing Support and Updates
It is important to keep your software updated with the latest features so it works perfectly. Keep checking for regular updates to utilize all the features efficiently. Some car repair quote software providers offer customer support to resolve issues. Moreover, they guide you if you are stuck while using the software.
Conclusion
If you are still relying on manual estimates and calculations, then it’s time to shift to auto repair estimating software.
It can transform the workflow of your shop, help you save more time, and improve accuracy. It also enhances the customer experience. You can easily become a competitive auto repair shop in no time. Ready to see how it works in action?
Request a demo of Torque360’s auto repair estimating software today!
