Have a few flood jobs lined up (already at my house actually) and I need to find an R&R time for a 2007 Lincold Town car. I used to have a site on my old computer with various makes and models with R&R times on refinishing and repairing vehicles. Cannot seem to find it anymore. I already know what I charge, but the adjuster is coming tomorrow and I want to have an estimate handy for him with replacing the carpet and with just cleaning the carpet and replacing padding. It only takes me about an hour to remove and re install carpet, and I know what my hourly rate is... BUT...... If the insurance pays more, say 3 hours to R&R, then I am basing it on that.... Thanks in advance.
I know my labor rate..... Insurance companies go by how long it takes times your time. Just trying to find out the estimated time.
Wow, an Adjuster is coming by on a Sunday? There must be a bunch of flood vehicles there? There are no labor times for removing carpet and every vehicle is different. I usually go 4 hours to R & I the seats, center console and carpet for drying. I won't replace the carpet until it's dried out and cleaned and then reinspected. I hope you are working closely with a garage that will be doing the mechanical aspect of the repair because doing flood repairs is much more than just cleaning. There are many safety issues and you could be held accountable if not done correctly. What labor rates are you charging? Many Adjusters will have a hard time giving top dollar when someone works out of their garage/house. You might want to try posting your labor rate sign. Because these cars are in your custody, you should have already started to atleast remove the carpet and start the drying out process. I've seen some insurance companies deny additional water damage because a car sat wet under their control causing additional, preventable damage.
David, yes, we (central texas) was flooded out pretty good. Many cars were totalled. I have 2 right now I am working on. One was just water coming up over the sill plates and filling up the floor board. They were quick to get the water out before it sat. That one is not an insurance job and they are paying out of pocket to clean the carpet and replace the padding...interior detail as well. The second one, an 07 town car had water up to the bottom of the door. Floor boards were puddles. Seat motor on drivers side was under water and not working. I drove it home and everythign but that worked fine. Insurance adjuster didn't want me to do ANYTHING to the car until they looked at it. I think that was pretty outragious. I extracted as much water as possible. (took a few dozen pictures first) I wante to dry out the motor and now it works fine. It will be brought up to the adjuster an dhe can decide to replace or leave it be. Other than that, it will be straight forward in getting it finished up. If a vehicle has had water higher then the bottom of the seat, I will not take them, due to what you had mentioned. There is too much of a liability with electronics and everything else. I will only take the job if I know that the car can be stripped, cleaned, and everything put back in. (or carpet replacement) Other than that, I won't do electronic diagnostics or what not. Not that I can't, but I try to stay away from it. If the seat motor needs replacing, it's fairly easy. My labor rate is pretty standard and firm, plus parts. I know carpet for this car is over $700 alone. So that, plus labor to R&R, and the cost of an interior detail are what they are going to be looking at.
The adjuster will know what the going rate is. More times then not they will pay you more then you probally would've thought of charging. David made a good point. I also suggest getting out there super early in the morning and getting as much disassembled as possible. Also, take pics/document your work. Theres very good money in fire/water damage restorations. This could easily lead you to more work :claping:
Keep in mind that most cars have multiple sensors and electronics on the floor including wire harnesses. If any of them are safety related (i.e. side SRS, ABS) they have to be replaced (even if they are dry or dried out). Because it's your responsibility as a repair shop to identify all the parts within the affected area, you should atleast have a Certified Mechanic come by and sign off on everything with documentation. The wire harnesses and connectors need to be dried, cleaned and lubricated. All this takes time and should be allowed by the insurance company. When you add up all the things you could need to do, even on a super inevasive water claim, it could easily end up being a 20 hour repair. Unless you have a posted labor rate in your work area, the Adjuster could easily low ball you. Especially if you are not ASE certified and not in a legit shop. I would post a sign with your rates as follows = $40 Body & Frame / $40 Paint / $24 Paint Materials / Mechanical $75 / Storage = $50 per day. Good luck.
