How to Be Automotive Estimator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 23, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The role of an Automotive Estimator is essential in the automotive industry, as it involves the process of accurately assessing the cost of repair and replacement parts for a damaged vehicle. This process is critical in order to provide an accurate estimate of the costs for repairs and replacements for the customer, and to ensure that the repair meets all the necessary safety standards. It also helps to identify any potential problems with the vehicle that may need additional repairs or replacements, and can help to reduce the amount of time needed for repairs. By having a knowledgeable Automotive Estimator on staff, it enables auto repair shops to provide quality service and protect customers from unnecessary expenses.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Automotive estimators typically need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent in order to qualify for jobs.
Consider earning a postsecondary certificate or degree. Although not required, some employers prefer to hire automotive estimators who have a certificate or degree from an automotive technology program.
Gain experience in the automotive industry. Employers typically prefer to hire automotive estimators who have experience in the automotive field, such as working as a mechanic, technician, or body repairer.
Obtain certification. Some employers may require automotive estimators to have certifications from organizations such as the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Consider earning additional certifications. Automotive estimators may consider obtaining additional certifications such as the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Advanced Estimator certification or the Automotive Management Institutes Certified Automotive Estimator certification.
Obtain additional training. Automotive estimators may benefit from attending seminars and training programs to stay up-to-date on industry developments and best practices.

The automotive estimator is an essential tool for any auto repair shop, as it helps to ensure that accurate estimates are given to customers. An ideal and efficient estimator needs to take into account not only the cost of parts and labor, but also the time needed to complete the job accurately. Without an accurate estimate, the repair shop may not be able to provide the customer with quality service or meet their expectations.

Furthermore, the estimator should be able to accurately account for any unexpected costs, such as additional labor or parts, to ensure that the customer is not overcharged. By using an accurate estimator, auto repair shops can ensure that their customers are receiving accurate estimates and can provide quality service.

You may want to check Automotive Electrical Technician, Automotive Service Writer, and Automotive Upholstery Technician for alternative.

Job Description

Automotive Estimator: Responsible for professionally and accurately assessing the damage to customer vehicles for the purpose of providing timely estimates to insurance companies.
Automotive Service Advisor: Works with customers to assess their needs and ensure that all automotive repairs and service requirements are met in a timely and professional manner.
Automotive Parts Manager: Oversees the ordering, stocking and delivery of automotive parts, ensuring that all parts are available when needed.
Automotive Technician: Diagnoses, repairs and maintains customer vehicles, ensuring that the highest standards of service are met and customer satisfaction is achieved.
Automotive Paint Technician: Prepares, paints and finishes customer vehicles, ensuring that the highest standards of service are met and customer satisfaction is achieved.
Automotive Salesperson: Responsible for helping customers select, purchase and finance vehicles while providing excellent customer service.
Automotive Detailer: Responsible for cleaning, polishing, waxing and detailing vehicles, ensuring that customers receive their vehicle in a clean, pristine condition.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of automotive parts, systems, and repair procedures
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to calculate estimates quickly and accurately
Ability to work with insurance companies to secure payment
Proficiency in computer software for estimating and invoicing
Knowledge of safety regulations related to automotive repair
Attention to detail
Good communication and negotiation skills
Ability to interact professionally with customers and vendors
Working knowledge of best practices for automotive estimating

Having an automotive estimator requires a great deal of knowledge and experience. This job requires a thorough understanding of cars, the different components and parts, and how they all work together. Knowing the mechanics of a car, as well as its safety features, is essential to being successful in this role.

having a good eye for detail and being able to estimate the cost of repair are important facets of this job. Being able to communicate effectively with customers, vendors, and other stakeholders is also important for success in this role. Good negotiation skills help automotive estimators get the best prices for parts, which helps to ensure that customers get the best repair service possible.

Finally, good organizational skills are critical for an automotive estimator, as they need to keep track of all the different parts used for a repair and make sure the repair is done correctly.

Automotive Parts Interpreter, Automotive Paint Technician, and Automotive Sales Representative are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in automotive estimating?
How do you stay up to date on repair techniques, parts, and labor costs?
Describe a time when you had to adjust an estimate due to unexpected damage or labor.
What strategies do you use to accurately assess the cost of a job?
What methods do you use to ensure customer satisfaction?
How do you handle difficult conversations with customers regarding repair costs?
Describe your experience with customer service and handling customer complaints.
What steps do you take to ensure accuracy in your estimates?
How do you prioritize multiple tasks and requests at once?
What challenges have you encountered in automotive estimating, and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Estimator Software. Automotive Estimator software is designed to help automotive technicians generate accurate estimates for labor and parts needed for repair and maintenance jobs. (eg: Mitchell1, AllData)
Automated Estimating System. Automated Estimating Systems are computerized systems that generate comprehensive repair estimates in a matter of seconds, significantly reducing the amount of time and effort needed to generate estimates. (eg: Audatex Estimating System)
Diagnostic Scanner. Diagnostic Scanners are devices that are used to diagnose mechanical and electrical issues in vehicles. They provide detailed analysis of vehicle faults and can be used to generate repair estimates. (eg: OBD2 Scanner)
Paint Matching System. Paint Matching Systems are used to match a vehicles paint color to an existing paint sample. This can be used to accurately estimate the cost of paint and materials needed for a repair job. (eg: Axalta's ColorNet System)
Parts Catalogs. Parts Catalogs are databases that contain detailed information about available parts and components for any given make and model of vehicle. They can be used to quickly locate, identify and price out parts needed for repair jobs. (eg: PartsTree)

Professional Organizations to Know

Automotive Service Association (ASA)
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA)
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIAC)
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)
Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA)
Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)
Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR)
National Autobody Council (NAC)

We also have Automotive Assembly Line Worker, Automotive Body Technician, and Automotive Parts Procurement Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Damage Assessment. The process of determining the extent and cost of damage to a vehicle after an accident or other incident.
Estimate. A prediction of the cost to repair a vehicle after damage assessment.
Parts Replacement. The process of replacing damaged or worn parts with new ones.
Labor Costs. The cost of labor associated with repairing a vehicle.
Paint and Bodywork. The process of repairing, refinishing and restoring a vehicles body after an accident or other incident.
Collision Repair. The process of restoring a vehicle to its pre-accident condition after an accident or other incident.
Refurbishment. The process of restoring a vehicle to its original condition.
Detailing. The process of cleaning and polishing a vehicles exterior and interior.
Mechanical Repair. The process of repairing and maintaining a vehicles mechanical components.
Diagnostics. The process of troubleshooting and diagnosing mechanical problems in a vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Automotive Estimator?

An Automotive Estimator is a professional who provides cost estimates for automotive repairs and services. They work with automotive repair shops to provide detailed estimates for customers and ensure accuracy in the cost of repairs.

What skills are required to be an Automotive Estimator?

Automotive Estimators need to have a comprehensive understanding of automotive repair and service procedures as well as knowledge of the parts and materials used in these services. Additionally, they need to have excellent communication and math skills in order to accurately estimate costs and explain them to customers.

How much do Automotive Estimators typically earn?

The average salary for an Automotive Estimator is around $40,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

What are the duties of an Automotive Estimator?

Automotive Estimators are responsible for reviewing customer requests for repair services, understanding the scope of the job, researching parts and materials needed, and calculating a cost estimate for the customer. They must also be able to explain the estimate to customers and provide them with accurate information about the repair.

What qualifications are needed to become an Automotive Estimator?

To become an Automotive Estimator, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent as well as experience in automotive repair or service. You may also need to complete specialized training in automotive estimating.

Web Resources

Auto Collision Estimator | Training | Job Description www.automechanicschooledu.org
Automotive Claims Estimator Certificate (Part Time) Map arc.losrios.edu
What Does a Collision Estimator Do? - UTI Corporate www.uti.edu