At Nova Body Shop in North Austin, a walk-in visual estimate for small damage takes 5 to 15 minutes and costs nothing. The estimator looks over the damaged panels, the parts around them, paint and panel gaps, then writes up parts, labor and paint. Once damaged parts come off, the shop may find hidden damage, which gets added to the estimate as a supplement.
Most people put off getting a body shop estimate because they picture losing half a day in a waiting room. For small damage, it's much quicker than that. Here's how long an estimate takes, what the estimator is looking at while you wait, and what to do with the paper once you have it.
How long does a body shop estimate take?
At Nova Body Shop, a walk-in estimate for small damage, like a scraped bumper, a dented door or a cracked mirror, takes 5 to 15 minutes, and there's no charge. That's a visual estimate: we look closely at what can be seen without taking anything apart, and we tell you up front that a teardown can reveal more.
Bigger damage takes longer, because there's more to measure and more parts to look up. If a front corner is pushed in, or the car took a hit that might have reached the suspension, expect the estimator to spend more time, and expect the first number to be less final.
If you're working with an insurer, the company may also send its own adjuster or ask for photos. That's separate from the shop's estimate and runs on the insurer's schedule.
What does the estimator check?
A good estimator works from the point of impact outward. On a typical walk-in, that includes:
- the damaged panels themselves: dents, creases, cracks, scrapes and how deep they go
- the parts next to them, since a hit to a bumper often scuffs the fender or headlamp too
- panel gaps, which can show that something underneath has shifted
- paint: whether it can be touched up, needs a full panel, or needs blending into nearby panels so the color matches
- lights, mirrors, trim and clips that may be broken or missing
- signs of sensors in the bumper, grille or mirrors that could be affected
From there, the estimator decides whether each part should be repaired or replaced. Our post on whether to repair or replace a bumper explains how that call gets made.
Visible damage vs hidden damage
A visual estimate only covers what can be seen. Bumper covers in particular are good at hiding things: the plastic can spring back into shape while the brackets, absorber or reinforcement behind it are cracked or bent.
That's why repair estimates often grow after teardown. When the shop removes the damaged parts and finds more, it writes a supplement, an addition to the original estimate. On an insurance claim, the Texas Department of Insurance auto insurance guide says that if the damage turns out to be worse than the adjuster originally thought, you or the repair shop can talk to the adjuster about raising the estimate.
Sensors add another layer. CCC Intelligent Solutions' Crash Course 2026 report found that 28.3% of repairable estimates included an ADAS calibration, the step that re-aims driver assistance cameras and radar after a repair. That's often something a visual look can't settle on its own.
Are photo estimates as good as in-person ones?
Photos are a fine first step. They tell a shop roughly what it's dealing with and whether the damage looks cosmetic or more serious. You can text photos to Nova at 512-837-8174 to get started.
They have limits, though. Photos flatten dents, hide panel gaps and make paint color hard to judge. For anything beyond a scratch, an in-person look gives you a more complete picture, and a teardown gives you the most complete one. If you send photos, include a wide shot of the whole side of the car, a closer shot of the damage, and one from a low angle.
What should a written estimate include?
Whether it's from us or another shop, a written estimate should show:
- each part, whether it's being repaired or replaced, and its price
- the type of part: OEM, aftermarket, used or reconditioned (see OEM vs aftermarket parts in Texas)
- labor hours for body work, and the labor rate
- paint and materials, including any blending into nearby panels
- any sublet work, like alignment or calibration done elsewhere
- your vehicle's details and the date
If an estimate is a single number with no breakdown, ask for the itemized version.
Questions to ask, and how to compare estimates
Before you leave, ask a few things: What might change once the part comes off? Are the parts new OEM, aftermarket or used? Will you blend the paint? Will you call me before doing extra work?
When you compare two estimates, go line by line instead of looking only at the total. One shop may have written a repair where the other wrote a replacement, or skipped blending, or used a different kind of part. Those differences explain most gaps, and the lower total isn't always the same job. If you're filing with insurance, remember that in Texas you choose the shop, as we explain in do I have to use my insurance company's body shop in Texas.
Once you've picked a shop, the next question is usually timing. Our guide on how long collision repair takes picks up from there, and our collision repair page explains how we handle the work.
Got a few minutes? Pull into 8415 N Lamar Blvd for a free walk-in estimate, or text your photos to 512-837-8174 and we'll take a first look.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment to get a body shop estimate?
Not at Nova Body Shop. You can walk in at 8415 N Lamar Blvd in North Austin, and a visual body shop estimate for small damage takes 5 to 15 minutes at no charge. Other shops set their own policies, so call ahead if you're going somewhere else.
Why did my repair estimate go up after the shop started work?
Some damage can't be seen until the damaged parts come off, such as cracked brackets behind a bumper cover. When the shop finds it, it writes a supplement to the estimate. On an insurance claim, the Texas Department of Insurance says you or the shop can talk to the adjuster about raising the estimate.
Can I get a car repair estimate from photos?
Many shops will give a rough estimate from photos, and you can text them to Nova at 512-837-8174. Photos can't show panel gaps, hidden damage or paint color well, so an in-person look is more complete. Send a wide shot, a close shot and one from a low angle.
Why are two estimates for the same damage so different?
The shops may have made different calls: repairing a part versus replacing it, using OEM versus aftermarket parts, or blending paint into nearby panels or not. Compare the estimates line by line to see where they split.
Is the estimate the final price I'll pay?
Not always. An estimate reflects the damage the shop could see at the time, and hidden damage found during teardown can add to it. Ask the shop to call you before doing any work beyond the original estimate.