Advice on repairing rear bumper

Ouch!
I sympathize, really.
You can take it to several body shops and get estimates. Once you have four or five estimates, you will have a pretty good idea of what it will cost.
Often, it is the painting that costs the most--most vehicles have branded paint that is hideously expensive.
Since the bumper is, really, plastic, they may have to replace the whole thing to remove the denting. That will be more.

If it were me, and if there were no safety issues, I'd just have a good touch-up done.

I was hit in a parking lot once, with my Malibu, and I had to replace the front section of my bumper, as the styrofoam crush pad was "compromised".

 

The body shop might be able to fix the bumper facia, but most likely will just replace it. I would imagine that you are looking at closer to $500 for the repair.

 

I don't think you need a new bumper, per se, but rather the facia. The part that you show as being damaged in your photo is the facia and covers the acutal bumper. What the body shop will probably do is replace the entire facia which should cost around $500.

 

I'm in California and would be surprised if a body shop could replace the fascia *and* repaint it for $500.

I'd say $700-900; less if they can still use your existing bumper fascia. This is probably what the guy who hit you was thinking/fantasizing/dreaming when he said "$250-300."

But if the fascia has been distorted, then it's done for (unless you don't mind seeing ripples in your bumper, especially on a black car!). I'm fearful this is where the contention will lie. He'll be, like "just tell them to respray it...it's fiiiiiinnnnnnneeee!" and you'll be like, "But it wasn't ripply like this before." And he'll be, like, "Just 'cause I hit your car doesn't mean that I have to pay to make it better than new." And you'll be, like, "it was fine before you it it!" and he'll be, like, "can you prove that? do you have a photo...?

I don't mean to be negative, but do be careful, especially if you've never dealt with this kind of thing before. The guy who hit you and is fine with a $300 repair may not be so accomodating when faced with a significantly higher amount.

I mean, you've got to be looking at a bit of prep on the part; paint; the disassembly and reassembly itself...they've got to be charging $50-$75 an hour for labor, I'd guess, right?...plus the cost of the fascia itself...?

I *always* guess high when things like this are involved. Maybe even $1000.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jun 15 2007, 01:44 PM) [snapback]462548[/snapback]</div>

I could see the repair going that high. The majority of the cost will come from labor. They'll have to paint it and finish it too. Take it to a good repair shop. If you're not sure which one, ask some friends and get some recommendations. I'm sure the other guy will try to find the cheapest one, but you get what you pay for with bodywork.

 

Just got our Prius out of the shop. Had the rear right bumper scuffed and taillight lens cracked. Cost $773 for the Toyota body shop to repair it. It is a super white color.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Papa @ Jun 15 2007, 06:47 PM) [snapback]462675[/snapback]</div>

I had the front bumper cover replaced and painted after a minor fender bender. About $650.

 

It will show up on carfax report as having been involved in an accident.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Jun 21 2007, 05:09 PM) [snapback]466016[/snapback]</div>

Online parts places want ~$157 for the bumper cover. Then it has to be painted and installed. I'd expect $500 to $700 total for just the cover part of the job.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2

- Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Jun 15 2007, 06:43 AM) [snapback]462227[/snapback]</div>

I got hit back in March and the rear bumper cover was removed, repainted and replaced. Original estimate was $589, but actual final cost was just over $700 because they did not include the cost of my bumper protector decal in the original estimate.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Jul 24 2007, 09:09 AM) [snapback]484076[/snapback]</div>

I don't think that is exactly accurate. NJ is also a no fault state. You can choose to go through either insurance company. If you go through yours you would pay the deductible to the shop and receive a check in the mail. Your insurance will recover any payments made from the other company. If you go through theirs the insurance company pays everything to the shop.

Have you considered adding rubber bumper guards?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michgal007 @ Jul 26 2007, 01:23 PM) [snapback]485651[/snapback]</div>

Then you could add the 3m clear bra to protect the bumper cover guard which protects the bumper cover which protects the bumper which protects your car.


:lol: