Auto body repair & detailing: Body work and estimates, 93 honda prelude, honda prelude

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

    I have a 93 Honda prelude and I bought it salvaged. I recently went to a body shop to get an estimate to fix my front bumper alignment(may have a bent radiator support), replace all dents and rusting on the car, and get a new paint job. The estimate came to about $2800.

He also gave me another quote if I just want all the body work done without paint and just primered. This came to $1000.

Are these prices reasonable?
ANSWER: The prices are very reasonable.But remember you get what you pay for.The repairs you describe should be $4000 to $6000.Make sure the shop is reputable and that they can give you some sort of guarantee on workmanship and a specific date on when your car will be done.

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QUESTION: By asking for a guarantee, do I just plain ask if he can print out some sort of contract telling me the conditioned results of my car and ready by? im unsure of how to guarantee what he "claims" and put into writing. Thanks alot for you help.

Answer
Generally a shop will not guarantee rust work unless they replace the panels completly.What they should do in your situation  is at least provide you with a warrantee on the paint work.Most reputable shops have a pre-printed "guarantee"and this is usually good for as long as you own the car.I am somewhat leary of the shop you are dealing with because I have never heard of any one offering a "primer" only price, this sounds a little odd to me.Just ask for a copy of their guarantee and read it over first,as for the completed date if they just write it and initial it on your estimate this should be sufficient.I only bring up this point because I have seen shops take peoples money and then sit on a job for years at a time.