Our Process — West York Collision Center

Our Repair Process

Step 1: Visual Damage Estimate

One of our certified estimators will come out and take photos of the impact of the damage to your vehicle. We will then get in contact with you when we have an estimate of the damage.

This is a free estimate and typically takes about 15 minutes!

We will then shortly email you your estimate letting you know the status and what repairs will look like.

Step 2: Authorization For Repair

After your visit, our certified estimators will use the photos and damage assessment to create a detailed repair estimate. We’ll send it to the vehicle owner to review and approve.

If you have questions about the estimate or the proposed repairs, please contact us. Once we receive your authorization, we’ll move forward with the next steps in the repair process.

Step 3: Insurance Approval

If your repair involves an insurance claim, we’ll coordinate with your insurance company to review the estimate and claim details. Our team will provide repair documentation and communicate with the insurer as the process moves forward.

Some repairs may require insurance approval before work begins. We’ll keep you updated and let you know if any additional information or documents are needed.

Step 4: Parts are Ordered

Once the repair plan is authorized and approved, we’ll order the parts your vehicle needs. Our team selects parts based on its make and model, the damage found, and the planned repairs.

Ordering parts ahead of the repair helps us prepare for the work. If technicians uncover damage that was not visible during the initial inspection, additional parts may be needed.

Step 5 : Parts Are Inspected

When your parts arrive, we’ll compare them with the repair estimate and inspect them for shipping damage or other issues before installation. This helps us confirm that the parts match the planned work.

Checking parts in advance can prevent avoidable delays once repairs begin. If a part is incorrect or damaged, we’ll arrange a replacement and keep you informed about any effect on the repair timeline.

Step 6: Completion Date Is Given

Once the parts have arrived and the repair plan is finalized, we’ll share an estimated date for your vehicle to be ready. We base that date on the authorized work, parts availability, and anticipated repair time.

Taking the vehicle apart can uncover damage missed during the first inspection. If additional work affects the estimate or timeline, we’ll explain the changes and provide an update.

Step 7: Vehicle Gets Scheduled

With the repair plan confirmed, we’ll schedule your vehicle for work with our collision repair team. Before repairs begin, we’ll make sure the required parts, equipment, technicians, and workspace are available.

This preparation helps us manage each stage of the repair and avoid unnecessary delays. We’ll let you know when your vehicle is scheduled to enter the repair area.

Step 8: Vehicle Is Disassembled

Our technicians will remove the affected exterior parts to take a closer look at your vehicle’s damage. An initial inspection cannot always reveal what is behind a panel or bumper.

With those areas exposed, we can assess the full extent of the damage and determine which components can be repaired and which need replacement.

Step 9: Damage Is Re-Inspected

After disassembly, our technicians will inspect the exposed areas more closely. They’ll examine body panels, structural components, mechanical parts, and nearby areas that may have been affected by the impact.

If they uncover additional damage, we’ll document the findings and revise the repair plan. This step helps us identify the work needed before reassembling your vehicle.

Step 10: Supplemental Estimate Is Prepared

When disassembly reveals damage that was not included in the original estimate, our estimators will prepare a supplement. It will outline the additional work, parts, and labor needed for the repair.

We’ll send the supplemental estimate to the insurance company or vehicle owner for review, as appropriate. Documenting these findings helps ensure the repair plan accounts for the damage discovered.

Step 11: Supplemental Estimate Is Approved

After the supplemental estimate is reviewed, we’ll request authorization for the added work. This may include replacing damaged parts, repairing structural areas, or addressing damage uncovered after the initial inspection.

Our technicians can proceed with those repairs once approval is received. If the review causes a delay, we’ll keep you informed about your vehicle’s status and any change to the timeline.

Step 12: Additional Parts Are Ordered

If the approved supplemental repairs call for more parts, we’ll order them based on your vehicle’s needs and the updated repair plan. We’ll check the parts when they arrive before continuing with the affected work.

Waiting for additional parts may change your vehicle’s estimated completion date. If that happens, we’ll share a revised timeframe and explain what caused the delay.

Step 13: We Update You About Your Vehicle

We’ll keep you informed as your vehicle moves through the repair process, including when a change affects the work or expected completion date.

If we find additional damage, encounter a parts delay, or need to resolve an insurance question, we’ll explain what it means for your repair. You can also contact our team at any time for a status update.

Step 14: Vehicle Is Placed on Repair Equipment

When the repair plan is ready, our technicians will place your vehicle on the equipment needed for the work. They’ll secure and position it to access the damaged areas and take accurate measurements.

With the vehicle properly set up, our team can assess alignment, make the planned corrections, and work toward restoring it as closely as possible to its pre-accident condition.

Step 15: Structural and Body Repairs Begin

Our trained technicians will address the structural and body damage found during inspection, using equipment and repair methods suited to your vehicle. The work may involve reshaping damaged metal, replacing panels, repairing supports, or correcting alignment.

We check the completed work at this stage before your vehicle moves on to the next part of the repair process.

Step 16: New Panels Are Installed

After preparing and repairing the affected areas, our technicians install the replacement panels. They check each panel’s position, gaps, and alignment against the surrounding bodywork.

Before the vehicle moves to painting, we review the fit and make any needed adjustments. This helps the repaired area look consistent and supports the quality of the finished work.

Step 17: Corrosion Protection Is Applied

Once the bodywork is complete, our technicians apply corrosion protection where the repair calls for it. Covering exposed metal helps protect the repaired area over time.

We pay particular attention to areas that may encounter moisture, road salt, and other road conditions. This step protects the work completed so far and prepares the vehicle for refinishing and reassembly.

Step 18: Metal Work Begins

Before your vehicle moves to paint and refinishing, our team reviews the completed metal repairs. We check the shape and smoothness of the repaired areas, along with panel alignment and fit.

If anything needs further adjustment, we address it before paint preparation begins. This check helps ensure the underlying bodywork is ready for the next stage.

Step 19: Vehicle Is Prepped For Paint

Before refinishing begins, our technicians prepare the repaired panels for paint. Depending on the repair, they may clean, sand, prime, and smooth the surfaces to create an even base.

Careful surface preparation helps the new finish look consistent and adhere properly. We complete these steps before moving the vehicle into the paint booth.

Step 20: Vehicle Is Masked and Taped

Before painting, we mask the vehicle to cover surfaces that should remain untouched, such as glass, trim, lights, and tires. This preparation helps keep refinishing materials off those areas and creates clean lines around the panels being painted.

Step 21: Panels Are Cleaned And Prepared

Before applying paint, our technicians clean the panels to remove oils, dust, and other residue that could interfere with the finish. They then check the surfaces for anything that needs further attention.

This final preparation helps the paint bond to the panels and supports a smooth, even result.

Step 22: Vehicle Goes Into Refinishing Process

Our technicians get the repaired panels ready for paint by cleaning and smoothing the surfaces. Depending on the work performed, they may also sand and prime the affected areas.

These steps create a suitable base for the new finish. We check the preparation before the vehicle moves into the paint booth.

Step 23: Vehicle Is Reassembled and Inspected

Once the paint and refinishing work is finished, our technicians reinstall the parts removed for the repair, which may include lights, trim, moldings, bumpers, and panels.

We then check the vehicle’s appearance, alignment, air conditioning, and operation, along with the quality of the completed work. When appropriate, we’ll also take it for a final test drive before delivery.

Step 24: Final Inspection and Delivery

Before returning your vehicle, we inspect the completed repairs. Our team checks the body panels, paintwork, cleanliness, vehicle operation, and other items covered by the repair plan.

When the vehicle is ready, we’ll contact you to confirm the pickup date. At pickup, we’ll go over the work performed and answer any remaining questions.

Disclaimer: Repair timelines and processes vary depending on the extent of the damage, parts availability, insurance approvals, and any additional damage discovered during disassembly. Any completion date provided is an estimate and may change as the repair progresses. Additional repairs may require a supplemental estimate and authorization. Insurance coverage, deductibles, and claim decisions are determined by your insurance policy and insurance provider.

A Clear Path From Damage to Done