Body Repair Labor Guides for Collision & Paint Shops
If you run a body shop, collision center, or paint booth, you’ve probably noticed that most shop management software is built around mechanical repair (oil changes, brakes, timing belts). When you need to quote a fender R&R with a three-stage pearl blend, generic catalogs just don’t cut it.
We listened. ARI now includes a dedicated Body Repair tab in our Labor Guides, specifically designed for how body shops quote and invoice.
15 Categories, Built Around Real Workflow
Open Labor Guides, select your vehicle, and tap the Body Repair tab. You’ll find 15 categories that mirror your actual shop operations:
- Structural & Frame
- Panel Repair & Replacement
- Dent Repair (PDR, hail, creases)
- Paint Prep
- Paint & Refinishing
- Plastic & Bumper Repair
- Glass (with ADAS calibration)
- Trim & Moldings
- Interior & Upholstery
- Rust & Corrosion
- Welding & Metal Fab
- Detailing & Reconditioning
- Protective Film & Wraps (PPF, vinyl, tint)
- R&I / Access Operations
- Estimate & Admin (pre/post scans, teardown, ADAS, storage, tow)
Each category features comprehensive, billable services—from Tri-Coat application to Frame Straightening—eliminating the need for vague “body work” line items.
AI That Understands Body Work
When you tap a service, ARI’s AI estimator generates parts, materials, and labor hours tailored to your specific vehicle. Unlike standard mechanical tools, our Body Repair tab features:
- Itemized Materials: Paint, clear, primer, filler, seam sealer, abrasives, masking paper, and adhesion promoters are separated—not lumped into generic “shop supplies.”
- Split Labor: Body labor and refinish labor are tracked as separate lines to account for your shop’s differing rates.
- ADAS Integration: Requesting a windshield R&R on a camera-equipped vehicle automatically triggers static and dynamic calibration labor lines.
- EV Safety Protocols: Panel work on EVs automatically includes an HV service disconnect labor line to ensure compliance with OEM safety standards.
- Vehicle-Specific Construction: Our AI factors in material differences (aluminum vs. steel, unibody vs. body-on-frame, boron vs. HSS) to recommend the correct welding processes and primers.
Significant Cost Savings
ARI’s AI Labor Guides are included in every Pro plan. There are no add-on subscriptions, no per-lookup fees, and no separate logins.
| Provider | What You Get | Monthly Cost |
| CCC ONE Estimating | Industry labor times, parts | ~$400/mo |
| Mitchell Ultramate | Collision labor times, P-pages | ~$300/mo |
| Audatex Estimating | Labor times, repair procedures | ~$350/mo |
| ARI Pro | AI-verified parts, materials, labor | Included |
By switching to ARI (Auto Repair Software), you could save $3,600 to $4,800 per year in overhead costs. Simply review the AI-generated quote, tap Transfer, and the items drop directly into your invoice or job card.
Find it today: Navigate to Labor Guides > Body Repair tab.
We built this for the collision and paint shops in our community. If you’re one of them, we would love to hear your feedback!
