Hey...new to the forum and need some advice. I recently got into a minor accident, well more like I hit an iceberg in a parking lot and messed up my passenger side front bumper. Thinking about my stupidity really depresses me, so I won't go into the details.

The front bumper is really scratched up because the pile of ice was covered in gravel and I did hit it a little harder than initially thought. The estimate I got was close to $750 without having to replace the entire bumper. I don't know if that's average in the New Jersey area. I think it's way too much period.

Labor alone, they will be charging me $52 an hour. WHAT!!! Is that the norm??

 

A whole new bumper would be around $1000 painted and everything. I would just go that route instead of a repaint. What shop are you using? I've been to Collision Tech in Manville and they are good and not too expensive.

 

Yeah...I was kinda worried it might cost me that much. In your opinion, i'm better off getting it replaced?? I live in North Jersey and took it to my dealer in Montclair. I guess they outsource the job to an offsite shop. The place is called Exclusive Auto Body in Bloomfield. I'm hoping the place is reliable since the dealer recommended the place. *fingers crossed* Or will they rip me off big time?? Do you know any reliable places in the Bergen area?? Thanks~

 

I'm sorry, I don't know North Jersey at all (I'm in Central - Somerset County). However, I just remembered that I think when I had mine done, I also had to replace the shields underneath as well because they were cracked, so the price was probably closer to $800-900 for the bumper. I guess the fix depends on how bad the damage is. It must be pretty bad to cost over $700.