QuestionQUESTION: On a 2000 vw beetle in order to replace the front bumper cover a tech must also remove and install both right & left front fenders. What I have been told labor time for this is 4.1 hours. Now, also in included ops for this is: R&I both front wheels; R&I both fender liners; R&I both turn lights; R&I both head lamps; R&I lower grill suround; grill; grill bar and both fog lamps. This operation is alot of work for 4.1 hours pay. Is this an accurate Time? I work for a body shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Where can I find the proper labor time for this? Please help
ANSWER: Hi Bill
In my opinion the time to do the bumper changeout is a little on the low side for time ... Is the time from a shop estimate or is it from a insurance company? The insurance company will have a computer program giving exact times for R/R.as well as for R/I.
Ask your foreman or shop owner to double check and show you on their computer the RandR time or perhaps in the Mitchell Manual.
I hope this helps and all the best to you........Let me know how it works out for you.thanks.. Kim
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QUESTION: Thanks or your reply. The shop owner is getting these times from a computor generated program that insrance companies require them to link up with. I broght it to his attention that the Mitchell manual has different times for this opperation and mentions what is and is not included opps. His reply to me was, he must follow the comptor program and not mitchell. I was hoping someone in this field has run into this situation and can shed some good facts that I can take back to the shop owner. Any other help?Thanks, Bill
AnswerHi Bill
Your shop owner is correct in saying that he has to follow the computer times - this is what the insuance company will pay him.
It is unfortunate that the body shops have to go with the times provided by the insurance company. This also shorts the body tech. on the hrs that he has to put in to do the job. Sometimes it is best to do the job for the estimated time because alot of the other jobs you can beat the estimated times to balance it all out.....Best to you and to your shop........Kim
