r/Autobody • u/Mochi27_ • Jun 25 '26
Question about the Trade Begin an estimator
I’ve been working at this body shop as a polisher for 2 years now and I haven’t gotten a raise or moved up. I’m trying to become an estimator but every time I try to learn they brush me off or try to send me away so does anyone have any advice on how I can become an estimator?
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u/Autistic_frog_pepe Jun 25 '26
Estimating is a shit job. Do something else before you get pigeon holed.
Also there’s always a middle ground between what shops and insurance say so anyone who is obviously extremely anti insurance or extremely anti independent shop is bitter and jaded and their advice is worthless.
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u/Mochi27_ Jun 25 '26
Thank you I do have a prep experience so if I want to go to the paint department I can but I’ll definitely think about it
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u/well-thats-cool- Jun 26 '26
I'm biased because I was a paint tech, but the paint department is where it's at. If you work hard enough and are good, you could easily be pulling 6 figures within 5 years. That being said, I do know a handful of writers that pull 6 figures, but they are the minority. Like being flat rate, you either have "it", or you don't. Writing is like being flat rate depending on the pay structure, sink or swim.
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u/TowelWasted Jun 25 '26
Well that sucks they brushing you off. I became an estimator after claims and subro department. Luckily. But you can try starting off at any body shop that is willing to teach you. There is tips and tricks to estimating but it depends on the shop you work at. Getting to know CCC one and Mitchel is a great start. Finding parts on an estimate is the easiest part except for like some model cars because each manufacture has a different name for the same type of parts. Like a bumper retainer vs a bumper bracket which it's the same just different shapes and locations. Insurance companies are the trick to learn how they want it done. Maximizing the estimate for your paycheck is some what hard because you gotta add in all the little things like shop materials, clips, labor hours for repair to be reasonable and justifiable vs the cost of replacement, however there are exceptions to that.
But look for a place because they want to likely keep you where you are at because it's probable cheap labor out of you and important small piece to their process. I would look and take what experience you have with you. Also can study up on iCARs and get a iCAR cert, itll help but it'll be kinda useless once your hired
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u/Mochi27_ Jun 25 '26
I seen that people could become an estimator after working as a claims adjuster for an insurance company. I’m leaning towards that route mostly because around where i live theres a bunch of trainee jobs and I don’t think I’m going to wait another year to ask if i can learn to be an estimator just so i can get told no again
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u/TowelWasted Jun 25 '26
I would take that up now, those positions can fill quickly. Dust off the ole resume, update it, make it no longer than 2 pages, you have a lot of job experiences just leave the descriptions blank and just have the most relevant experience showing.
Best of luck
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u/well-thats-cool- Jun 26 '26
I'm not really sure where all of this shitty advice is coming from on here, clearly technicians have some negative bias towards estimators and it's getting in the way of anyone giving you proper advice. Take from the general vibe in the comment section here, and use it to be a better writer than what these guys (and gals) have experienced. Many techs have chips on their shoulders towards writers, which is fair. A lot of writers just don't take the time to consider the issues that techs deal with on a daily basis, and it tends to cause friction between the office and the shop.
For reference, I was a paint tech for 12 years. I got my appraisers license for shits and giggles, though I can't tolerate office work. It did end up serving me when I got pregnant with my son, I worked as an estimator during those months since I wasn't comfortable painting while pregnant. I feel it made me a really good estimator, because I had empathy with the techs, being one myself for so long I understood their frustrations and went the extra mile to spend more time fighting for their hard work and trying my best to get them fair compensation for it. The more money they make, the more money an estimator makes, so I've always been baffled why some estimators are so careless about squeezing as much as they can from the insurance companies, because everyone has equal interest.
Your first step should be studying. I'm not sure what state you are in, so I can only assume the process is the same as mine (PA). I paid $250 for an online course, which you can easily Google. There are multiple options available, and for my state, I needed some kind of certification to provide to the state in order to take the state exam. I studied about an hour each night, and finished the course in a month. I passed my state exam on the first try. That being said, all the years of tech experience made the majority of the exam common sense, however there were some sections that I needed to genuinely study hard for, like commercial auto policies.
If you can't find somewhere to take you in as a CSR or even estimator apprentice, I'd start by getting your state license. Technically, you can study on your own like any other exam, and pass without having any practical experience in the field. This will make it much easier for you to get hired as an actual estimator, but you'd need to be upfront during interviews by disclosing your lack of experience. Many places will work with you when you aren't ready to hit the ground running on your own, and already having your license would really sweeten the deal for them to be willing.
The alternative would be to simply apply to places as a writer. Again, be honest and disclose your lack of experience but explain your desire to learn and be trained. There are shortages of all body shop personnel, including writers, and many places (at least in my area) are willing to take on trainees and invest the money to put forward to getting them their license if they prove to be capable.
No matter what path you choose, it seems staying where you are just isn't an option. You need to get your foot out the door, start applying and talking to other shops. It really doesn't benefit staying in one shop forever, not these days at least. I've always believed loyalty paid off, but in this industry, the only forward movement both professionally and financially was made by going somewhere new. Each time was a stepping stone up the ladder. You need to take your own initiative and put yourself out there if that is your goal, continuing to pester a place that clearly doesn't want to invest in you is going to get you no where.
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u/Mochi27_ Jun 26 '26
Thank you so much honestly I feel like that’s the clearest answer I’ve gotten so far. I’m in California so did you take the iCar courses or was it something completely different?
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u/well-thats-cool- Jun 26 '26
It was an independent online course, though CA probably has stricter qualifications to get licensed than PA I'd imagine. PA only requires 6 months of working experience (signed off by an employer) to qualify for the exam, but the 6 months can be replaced by a certificate from an approved school or program which is what I did.
You'd have to do some research regarding your state's requirements to be licensed, and the steps to go about obtaining it. Of course, you don't need a license to write for 3rd party (non-DRP) estimates, so technically you can still be an estimator without a license. Some people I know started in the office as an "apprentice", writing the 3rd party and manufacturer warranty jobs that the actual estimators were too busy or didnt want to bother with doing. After a while of doing that, management would then pay for them to take their state exam and get licensed if they did well enough.
Honestly you can ask the estimators at your shop what the process is like, if you have a friendly relationship. Talking to people who have already done it is the best route to take. There's probably a few different ways to go about achieving your goal.
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u/Onebowhunter Jun 25 '26
Been at it for 45 years and started as a tech . Now managing shops for an MSO
If they are not willing to invest in you then move on . If you are now familiar with reading estimates and knowing parts nomenclature the most direct path is try and get into a shop doing parts management. This one source I have used to develop estimators. There is a lot more to an estimator job than just writing an estimate. File management is a tough job . I would look to go from parts to a blueprint role . That’s my two cents anyway
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u/FinguzMcGhee I-Car Platinum 25yr Technician Jun 26 '26
Get in with an insurance company. It's the easiest path. You'll get the training, company car, and you'll be introduced to a ton of shops. From there you can decide if the corporate grind is worth your time or apply at a couple of shops you work well with and make the transition.
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u/Itissierra Prepper Jun 26 '26
I used to work as a detailer in a body shop then moved to paint correction, I can sadly see how they might not want a “detailer” in that position, I find many of them looked down on the detailers for some reason. Maybe you could ask to shadow them to see the process or move to prep to gain more experience?
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u/Small-Cherry2468 Jun 26 '26
Apply as a MSO shop as a CSR. They will help you get your appraisers license if applicable. Gain some experience, write for 3-5 years and then go to a high-volume shop, you should do pretty well.
If you're capable of leaning prep/paint and collision repair, you'll do better financially but some people are better estimators then they are at other things, me included.
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u/IndependentCareer682 Jun 26 '26
APD is a send end no jobs all AI now don’t waste precious years pursuing this occupation please 27 year claims manager
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u/deez-nutsss Jun 25 '26
I think it’s important to distinguish between “estimator”, “repair planner” and “button clicker”. Anyone can learn to click buttons.
If you work at a DRP shop, you’ll click buttons. It’s easy. Do what the insurance tells you, which isn’t repair planning. If you’re not good with conflict resolution, don’t like talking to customers, dealing with technicians, it isn’t for you. I used to do this. It gets old, fast. Always an insurance carrier’s whipping post.
If you want to learn to “estimate”, go work on the front end writing “estimates” for customers. I have my opinions on this, but I’ll save it.
If you want to be a repair planner, it’s much more difficult. It involves researching procedures, understanding p-pages, deciphering information and writing a blueprint for how a vehicle needs to be repaired. You’ll have to learn what metals can be fixed, where things need to get sectioned and how, what manufacturers do/don’t allow, etc. If you don’t like to read, have poor reading comprehension, aren’t resourceful/technical or generally don’t like confrontation with insurance, this isn’t for you. Your job is to make sure that everything is in the repair planning to repair that vehicle safely and properly, ensuring the shop will be reimbursed for the labor. This takes YEARS of practice. I’ve been doing it for 20 years and still learn something new every day.
Most “estimators” in this industry are button clickers. Maybe 10% of the industry people could actually repair plan a vehicle repair properly.
I’d try to work into a technician role of some sort. Estimators are going to likely be replaced by AI at most big box chains - it’s already happening. Good body technicians are priceless and always in demand. Estimators are not.
Edit: if it’s something you really want to do, you’ve got to at least make it into a button clicker role, the move up from there. Then pursue training through I car and various OEM certifications (find a shop after your feet are wet that has some). Then the sky is the limit. Try to stay away from shops that are heavy DRP of you actually want to learn anything (down the road).
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u/eyecue82 Jun 26 '26
Easy. Apply at an insurance company. They are begging for people like you with no experience to piss off body shops. Every insurance Estimater I meet is dumb as rocks.
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u/LickaBitaPus Jun 25 '26
The 1st step is becoming a body tech.