VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group

Customer service is so important to me because I know how much I value it. I recently sent a small feedback form out to some of the main Bodyshops I work with and was blown away with the responses. Here are two that I wanted to share - for those who think outsourcing estimating doesn't work, it does if it's done right. VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group is more than just estimating - we don't succeed unless those we work with do too. If you're on the hunt for a VDA, some part time VDA support, or maybe you're not happy with your current outsourced estimating team, feel free to message me anytime. Have a lovely weekend all, I'm sure everyone is shattered from getting those last jobs over the line for month end! #vda #estimating #estimators #bodyshop #autobodyrepair #autobodyandpaint #collisionrepair #carrepairs #ukbodyshop #autobodyshop

A little goes a long way. Estimating is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, being the key profit driver to bodyshops, finding the right partner is a considered decision. So, sending a thanks to my valued clients is a small gesture for having faith in us is the least I can do. I say the term client loosely as I get to know those I work with on a professional yet personal level, and that’s what I love! The results speak for themselves and having a treat to top it off just makes it that much sweeter (pardon the pun) 😅 So thank you to all my clients who decided to use VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group as their estimating partner. #vda #bodyshop #autobodyrepair #bodyshop #autobodyshop #bodyandpaint #carrepairs #damageassessors #collisionrepair #automotive #spraypaint

Another tip for you all, seems obvious but the amount of times I see this error when conducting estimate reviews, I thought I'd do a video. Don't rely on the estimating system to do your job for you, this is a costly error to make, whilst 1.5% per job is small, it matters across volume. Make sure you have procedures in place to identify the correct colour type on the initial estimate, as this is wrong A LOT of the time. Screenshot in the paint mix, look for specialist tinters, show the engineer and get compensated accordingly, you're entitled to it! If you're looking for an estimating partner, then feel free to reach out to me. Holiday cover, pay per estimate, leaver cover, estimate reviews, VDA Group has your bodyshop covered. www.vda.group No golden handshakes, no waiting for the right candidate, just instant results - an experienced damage assessor with over 15 years experience, BSi compliant & GDPR compliant. The flexibility of outsourced, the commitment of an employee, the dedication of a business partner. #estimating #bodyshop #collisionrepair #carrepairs #automotive #autobodyshop #bodyandpaint #autobodyandpaint #autorepair #vda #assessors

There's an increase in using green parts when it comes to repairs ♻ But there's more to it than just hitting renew and entering the price you paid within graphics. Ensure you're charging out all the necessary uplifts required to deal with each part, as it turns up, on its own merits. Ensure you're charging out for: ✅Stripping the green part door out (this is only generated once for renew) ✅Dealing with any repairs required (enter in z99 under the repair line) ✅Cleaning the green part off fully / degreasing / removing contamination (if required) usually inside door frames you have all the cavity wax / dirt etc ✅Primer / Additional prep (new part paint doesn't generate this) ✅Materials necessary like the Filler / Primer Every detail matters. If you're looking for an outsourced estimating partner, VDA training, estimate audits, please reach out www.vda.group If not, feel free to follow for more tips that get your bodyshop what it deserves. #autobody #bodyandpaint #carrepairs #autobodyshop #autobodyandpaint #damageassessor #vda #estimating #automotive #collisionrepair #spraypainter

What a great end to the week! 😅 When we hear the word "invest" we think of the stock market or maybe dragons den. Peter James has become my new favourite (firm but fair). But this repairer chose a different form of investment, they chose our 3 estimate audit package, just to get an idea of the health of their estimating department. Some of the audits were done before initial authority, some at the final authority stage, so it can highlight the engineer agrees with the operations, charges and repair method. I like to do this as it gives the repairer the opportunity to see that things unjustified aren't being added, as that's not what we're about. As you can see this service pays for itself AND THEN SOME! But the audits don't just get emailed and then it's job done. They are just the beginning. We then work with the bodyshop and VDA closely on their own merits to ensure no more omissions or missed opportunities are carried forward, futureproofing their profitability. It's down to you as a bodyshop to ensure your estimates are accurate, each time, everytime. Investing in your business is not a one-time event, it's a continuous journey of improvement. Have a lovely weekend all 😁 #ARC #accidentrepair #bodyshop #autobodyshop #bodyandpaint #autobodyrepair #assessor #vda #paintrepair #carrepairs #estimating #carpaint #automotive

Do you see one of those paint protection stickers on the window? Maybe the customer has said they have a protective coating or sealant applied and want it reapplied after repairs. Well whilst you want to reinstate this, you are also entitled an uplift to actually remove it. If you've ever tried to scotch a panel, or DA one with a P1000 disc, it feels like nothing seems to be happening when there is a protective coating applied. It takes longer, and uses more materials, and that's why you need to charge additional WU to cover this. Let's say 3 panels at 2WU each = 6WU 6WU at £65/hr = £39 £39 x 100/jobs year = £3900 IT. ALL. ADDS. UP. Hope you found this tip useful. If you're looking for an outsourced estimating partner, an estimate audit or VDA training, please reach out 🤝 VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group #estimating #carrepair #automotive #bodyandpaint #paintprotection #bodyshop #bodyrepair #autobodyshop #bodyandpaintrepairs #autobodyandpaint

What a week for VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group! Onboarded a new bodyshop looking for a full time solution for their VDA department but with the flexibility of pay per estimate. The results have been instant. We offer a final supplementary only service, and we have uplifted jobs from £684 - £988 being some of the largest uplifts for this repairer, all within their menu pricing, all authorised. More tips to come next week. Have a lovely weekend all. #bodyshop #bodyrepair #bodyandpaint #autobody #autobodyshop

Honestly, if this doesn't go to show the power of estimating I don't know what will. An increase of £937.91 when I recently did an estimate check before final authority. This is now authorised and agreed with an engineer, ready to invoice. How was it increased so much? Well there's quite a few reasons, but this was a fairly big job with suspension damage, new inner wing, front end damage, ADAS, you name it. These are the jobs that need extra care. Nothing was unjustified (it's all authorised by an engineer like i said), it was all missed opportunities in the sense of: - Missed operations not charged for - Menu pricing items not applied - Missed justified paint uplifts - Plastic save rule not applied - MET not charged for The best thing about this, is the repairer opted for an audit before final auth so not only have they had a massive ROI the service paid for itself. On top of that, I called the VDA, ran through the estimate, gave advice, he made notes, and together, we will get there. Have a lovely evening all. Reach out to us www.vda.group if you'd like to utilise our services, from outsourced estimating, training and audits. #autobodyshop #autobodyandpaint #repairer #autobody #automotive #collisionrepair #carpaint #carrepairs #estimating #vda #damageassessor #bodyandpaint

Fitting a new 1/4? Sill section? Or doing a sill repair? You are entitled to charge some WUs in z99 for cleaning back the heavy stonechip ready for reapplication. Let's do a reserved example of how this can impact your profitability. 6WU x £60/hr = £36 100 jobs/year = £3600 300 jobs/year = £10,800 500 jobs/year = £18,000 Small charge with a big difference and that's only ONE uplift. On the hire for a VDA? Check out VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group where we offer outsourced estimating services. Or if you'd like to take advantage of our estimate audit service, we offer a full feedback report to help your VDA's flourish by giving a road map to ensure they're at the top of their game. #autobodyshop #autobodyrepair #carbodyshop #bodyshop #autobodyandpaint #carrepairs #automotive #damageassessor #vda

One thing becomes apparent when talking to the Bodyshops I work with. It's not just about building accurate estimates, it's about the service and giving them back resource. Sometimes the owners jump in and estimate, doing what they can. Sometimes the idea of taking skilled staff off the shopfloor just isn't an option. Sometimes the hassle of trying to find an estimator is just something they're not too keen on. Well there's a solution, and that's VDA Group - Vehicle Damage Assessor Group We aim to make working with us as painless and seamless as possible. #autobodyrepair #autobodyshop #carbodyshop #carbodyrepairs #bodyandpaint #estimators #assessors #vda #collisionrepair #automotiveindustry