Auto body repair & detailing: Replacing damaged door, rear bumpers, chrysler 300m

Question
I backed into a a coworkers' driver's side door when it was parked in an unusual spot for snow removal. I left a dent in the door.  Her husband owns a body shop - so I decided no to turn it in to insurance. The estimate he has given me to replace the door and paint the whole side of the car so the silver paint matches is Over $1,200.  The car is a 2003 Chrysler 300M 4 dr sedan  with 3.5L Inj 6 Cyl 4A FWD.  $495.76 for parts and 11.4 hours of lab0r.  He also wants me to pay for 3 days of rental car.   To top it off, I just did some work for them and gave them a 25% discount!!  Never again.  Do you think this is a fair estimate???

Answer
Hi Lisa. Sorry this happened to you. However, the average repair cost per panel in the industry is around 400.0 per panel. That is for a small to medium size damage and no parts. The entire side of a 300M has 4 panels not including front and rear bumpers. Based on not seeing the car and assuming the damage is medium size or below; i feel they are being very fair. The average repair job in the average bodyshop across the U.S. is $2,100 including about 18 hours of labor hours. I say you should be comfortable with this. If they make a claim against your insurance company; it may be higher. as for the rental car; Enterprise will work with you and may have rates as low as 16.99 a day plus tax. Even if it's 25.00 a day; go for it. It sounds very fair if they can do repairs in 3 days. Get a signed release from your friend that this ordeal is over upon payment. As for the 25% discount you extended them on services; i feel based on the numbers your telling me; they may have given you a good break on repair costs. Bottom line Lisa; pay the estimate, pay the rental, stay friends and it will all come around. They will need you again sometime as you them. Small world. Good luck, end the worries and turn it over! Hope this helps Lisa. I tried to  make as simple as possible for you and spared you lots of long stories about people who didn't want to pay now and suffered later. Best to you and your friend. David