Resources / Tools
Repair Decision Calculators
Three calculators covering the decisions owners actually face: whether to repair or replace a damaged assembly, whether filing an insurance claim is worth the deductible and betterment, and how long a repair will realistically take end to end.
Each calculator shows its own arithmetic in the copy above the inputs, so the reasoning is readable whether or not the interactive part runs. None of them is a quote. They are arithmetic on figures you supply, which is exactly as useful as the figures are accurate.
Repair versus replace
The working rule is that when repair cost reaches roughly 60 percent of replacement cost, replacement usually wins. Enter both figures from your estimate.
Repair is 55% of replacement.Repair is usually the better outcome below 60 percent, provided the substrate and framing behind the damage are sound.
Deductible break even
A claim is worth filing when the payout after deductible and betterment meaningfully exceeds what you would pay yourself. Betterment is the share you contribute where a repair leaves the vehicle better than it was.
Estimated payout $7,075, after $1,000 deductible and $1,425 betterment.Filing is likely worthwhile on these numbers. Weigh it against any premium effect with your carrier.
Estimated cycle time
Labor hours are only part of elapsed time. Parts lead time and carrier approval usually account for more of the calendar than the work does. This uses 6 productive hours per day per vehicle, which is the realistic planning figure rather than 8.
Roughly 31 days total: 14 shop days, 10 days parts lead time, 7 days approval and supplement.Stages overlap in practice, so treat this as an upper estimate rather than a schedule.
For the figures to put into these, see our posted labor rates and hour ranges and the deductible, depreciation and betterment explainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the 60 percent threshold come from?
It is a working rule across collision trades. Above roughly 60 percent of replacement cost, a repair is buying less remaining service life than the replacement is, so replacement usually wins.
What is betterment?
The share of a repair you contribute where the work leaves the vehicle in better condition than before the loss. Replacing a fifteen year old roof with a new one is the standard example.
Why does the cycle time calculator use 6 hours a day rather than 8?
Because no vehicle receives 8 uninterrupted productive hours. Cure times, booth scheduling and access sequencing all consume calendar. Six is the realistic planning figure.
Are these calculators a quote?
No. They are arithmetic on figures you supply. A real number requires the vehicle in front of us, which is what the $150 systems evaluation or $285 per hour diagnostic covers.
We Can Help. Contact Us Today.
Bring the vehicle to our Yorba Linda facility and we will document the damage properly, work directly with your carrier, and give you a written figure built from published rates and real labor hours.
All work is performed at our Yorba Linda facility. We do not offer mobile, roadside or fleet route service.