An auto body estimate often changes after teardown because hidden damage only becomes visible once panels are removed. Auto Collision Center of Exeter documents that damage and submits it to your insurer as a supplement. We then get written approval before continuing. In New Hampshire, an auto body repair shop generally may not charge a customer more than 10% above the estimate for original or additional work without the customer’s written consent.
Key Takeaways
- Hidden damage: Teardown often reveals damage a visual walkaround cannot catch.
- Supplement: Added repairs get documented and submitted as a separate line item.
- 10 percent rule: RSA 358-D caps unapproved charges at 10 percent above a written estimate.
- Approval: We notify you of added work and get your permission before it starts.
Why Does an Estimate Change After Teardown Begins?
Technicians can only confirm damage once panels and trim come off. At Auto Collision Center of Exeter, we photograph your vehicle at intake, then document anything new found once disassembly begins. Any auto body shop should follow the same standard before adding cost to your bill.
What Does Teardown Reveal?
Before any panel comes off, our technicians run a pre-scan on Snap-On and Bosch equipment. This checks for fault codes affecting airbags, braking, or sensor systems. This kind of teardown is a normal part of car body repair in Exeter, NH. From there, we remove damaged panels to check what sits underneath:
- Bent brackets or mounting points behind bumpers and fenders
- Crumple zone deformation not visible from outside
- Damaged wiring harnesses near impact points
- Structural adhesive failures at factory-joined panel seams
- Frame or unibody measurements outside factory tolerance, verified with our Spanesi laser system
We take around 100 photos at intake, before any diagnostic work begins. Those photos get compared against what teardown reveals. If ADAS sensors sit near the damage, we note it in the estimate. Recalibration is coordinated through certified partners rather than performed in-house.
Original vs. Supplemental Estimate
| Aspect | Original | Supplemental |
| Basis | Initial inspection, intake photos, visual check | Additional damage identified during teardown, measurement, scanning, or repair planning |
| Scope | Visible damage and identifiable parts, labor, and procedures | Hidden damage, structural repair, added parts, labor, and procedures |
| Approval | Oral or written customer authorization | Written consent is required if charges exceed the estimate by more than 10% |
| Insurer role | Reviews initial claim and coverage position | Reviews the added cost and determines the covered payment subject to the policy and applicable claim |
How Does NH Law Protect You When an Estimate Changes?
Under RSA 358-D:11, a shop cannot charge more than 10 percent above a written estimate without your consent. For unrelated added repairs, the shop must state the cost and get permission first. As a certified auto body shop in Exeter, NH, we build that step into every supplement.
What Should You Do With a Supplemental Estimate?
Three steps keep you in control:
- Ask to see photos documenting the newly found damage.
- Confirm the supplement went to your insurer, not just onto your bill.
- Get the revised total and your approval in writing before work continues.
If you are comparing options for an auto body shop near Durham in NH, add one more question to that list. Ask how each shop documents and reports supplements before you decide. Our customer Devin P. said in his review, “The estimate and body work were done promptly, and with the utmost professionalism throughout. I was informed during every step of the process and could not be happier with the result! I highly recommend this shop for any repair needs!”
What a Changed Estimate Means for Your Repair
A supplement is not a sign your original estimate was wrong. It is a normal part of the disassembly process. We would rather document every issue during teardown than have it surface after you drive away. Our limited lifetime warranty covers repairs and paint for as long as you own the vehicle. Catching every issue up front is how we stand behind that coverage.
Auto Collision Center of Exeter is family-owned, and we walk every customer through supplemental findings before touching a wrench. That is what affordable auto body repair should mean: a fair number that accounts for everything teardown finds. For auto body damage repair in Exeter, NH, contact us at (603) 772-0214 or accofexeter@gmail.com for a free estimate.