Industry Standard for restorations

[chapdog105]

My court date is fast approaching (May 24) for my suit against the first body-man that didn't properly repair my car.
I have about 50 full size pictures I printed in color on standard paper to illustrate.
I spoke to someone from the Michigan Secretary of State, and they indicated that I should be entitled to a full refund because he is not registered as an actual automotive repair facility in Michigan. Being registered is a requirement of any and all companies that sell, service, and/or repair vehicles.
Looks like I've got a slam dunk, especially considering that I'm only asking for a fraction of what I paid him.

I would however like to use the "industry standards" for repairing rust, replacing metal and panels, etc. when describing to the judge how the repairs should have been completed. I can tell him, but if the judge has no idea about restorations (highly probable) it's just my word against his on how the repairs should have been completed. Having documented industry standards would certainly seal the deal in my favor.

I've been on the I Car site, and didn't find much.

I've searched, and cannot find a cut and dry explanation of what the industry standard is for a specific repair. For example, he stacked the new floorpan on top of the bare-metal / damaged original floorpan without removing it. Obviously the industry standard would be to remove the original, and weld the replacement floor pan in. I cannot find anything that states that though. Could use some help here fellas...

Thanks,
Alex

 

[69hemibeep]

Your probably going to need 3 estimates from restoration shops. Its not like a collision shop, that has the Michell book that the insurance industry puts out for the cost of collision work on later model cars. So you have the one from your shop the car is at now but that's after the goof ball worked on the car. Is the guy a turnip , any money that can even be squeezed out? Oh I want to add, when I got my estimates the resto shops down here were getting $60-$80 an hour.

 

[3BIRDS1X]

Talk to a tech school that teaches auto body, they should have text books on how and what to do for repairs. Bring a book to court.

 

[railrider]

In my area it is up to the car owner to check out the shops reputation before leaving the car with any shop. It can be a he said she said case which gets nowhere. Locally many look for the cheapest estimate which means you get what you pay for. If the standard is to pay $500 for a new floor pan and they charge you $200 then you are not getting AMD metal welded in, your getting a stop sign they stole in the middle of the night. I wish you luck but have seen this before. :cheers:

 

[A31PKG]

Patching a hole or fixing a dent can be done any number of ways and still be up to "industry" standards, but not "restoration" standards. First you will have to prove what was agreed upon based on a written estimate, then you will have to prove that this guy did not honor it.

Good luck, keep us posted!

 

[chapdog105]

Talk to a tech school that teaches auto body, they should have text books on how and what to do for repairs. Bring a book to court.

That's a great idea.
It's just small claims court. No lawyers, and I'm only going after $3k to cover the metal I had to buy twice.

Thanks for all the advice fellas.

Alex

 

[4spd69RR]

Good luck with this and hope you win your case!

 

[solid gold]

X2! Good Luck!

 

[John69RR]

Good luck Alex.