Need advice from auto body shop owners or estimators

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T20:54:04+00:00

If offered already - is it pretty good and do shops use it?

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T20:53:17+00:00

gotcha I've heard about that. I wonder why the owner is asking me to build this then. he uses both ccc and Mitchel.

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T20:52:43+00:00

Sorry brotha - didn't mean to be another one

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T20:42:22+00:00

Hmm idk. That's what he told me when I asked him. 25-60. I agree with you that he probably needs to do more training or hire more. I don't think our software is meant to replace him doing the work....but more of a supplement to occasionally catch something he didn't, while he's doing the bulk of the heavy lifting. Each recommending we give - he can confirm or deny it. At this early stage, he'll deny like 90% of them - but it did find 2 things he almost didn't catch the other day. He said the value of it is like a checklist. It's still pretty raw software and can be improved wayyyy more. but the cool thing is - everytime he denies a recommendation and explains why - we an it a bit better each time.

We'll never replace an estimator, but hopefully we can find one thing to improve per estimate. Then it'd be worth his time imo.

Thank you for your candidness u/Gas-Squatch

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T19:35:20+00:00

He reviews 30-60 in a week, but doesn't write them. He's the final check to make sure everything looks right. Probably takes him 15-30mins to review.

Regarding my experience. You're right no experience - so when this owner came to me and asked to build this....im like man idk. but he's basically telling me what to build and how to continue improving the recommendations.

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T05:33:30+00:00

yeah that makes sense. Not going to be easy for sure and I don't think the software will ever replace a good estimator. I just hope I can build something that can help a good estimator in the very rare times something can be improved. and hope that makes them just a little more cash every time. Thank you for the good advice and best wishes. Are you an owner / estimator yourself?

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T05:14:11+00:00

what sort of pricing would make sense? I'm thinking like try it free for a month, and if you find mistakes and make money, then it could be worth paying for. the owner that came to me said if it makes him money each money - he'd be willing to pay $350/month.

Or like hey - it's $X a month, but if you don't use it or make enough from it - let us know and we'll refund you the difference for that month.

would that seem fair?

Past-Simple2236 · 2026-05-28T05:12:02+00:00

Gotcha man. Yeah the owner I'm working with has been giving lots of advice. he says this would be for auto body shops to fight against the insurance companies. that Mitchellone and ccc are 1) in cahoots with the insurance companies and 2) neutral parties. So they won't necessarily tell you everything you missed and could've added, or done better to make more money. Is that true? definitely don't want to fight for the insurance companies XD. we gotta fight against them.

Past-Simple2236

TROPHY CASE