Auto body repair & detailing: Trunk Repair

Question
Hi, I was recently in an accident with my 2002 Honda Civic LX. I was hit from behind but it only pushed in the trunk bay and trunk lid. I fixed the lid myself but I was wondering if I could get an estimate on how much it would be to get a whole new trunk put in. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Wyatt....Depending on the severity of the impact and how far the rear panel is pushed in, there is a definite possibility that both the right and left 1/4 panels have been pulled together. You can roughly determine this, by checking the gaps when the trunk lid is closed, to see if they are even or have been tightened up between the  trunk lid and the 1/4 panels. Also check the gaps at the tail lights for the same condition. If all seems OK, then my guess is that the rear panel/trunk floor should be able to be repaired quite easily. If the gaps are closed up, or even one panel is overlapping another, then the vehicle will need a structural alignment.

That being said, the worst case scenario, would be to have the vehicle set up on a frame rack for measuring, and then the proper body alignment to be done. Once the body measurements are put back to factory specs, then the necessary repairs and or replacement of sheet metal can take place.

Unfortunately, without seeing the vehicle in person, I can only give you the average times/cost for a repair such as this based on my experience.

To set up a vehicle on a frame rack to diagnose and measure, the standard flat rate charge is 2.0 Hours. The cost to make the required pulls to re-align the unibody structure before any panel replacement can take place, is unfortunately something that I would have to see to give you my opinion. It could be anything from 4 to 12 Hours on average. The average labour time to replace a rear panel, is 6.5 Hours. The average labour time to replace a complete trunk floor, is 12.0 Hours. All in all, total labour hours on the high end would be in the area of 32.5 Hours. At the labour rate up here of $75 per Hour, total cost would be $2,437.50....On average to refinish these 2 panels, you can add another 8.0 Hours. Cost would run another $800.00....Total cost: $3237.50....As other hidden damage is also possible, this would give you at least an idea of the possible cost.


Hope this helps you out. If there are any other questions or concerns you have, please drop me another line anytime....Thanks....Dave.