The Challenge
There are many procedures that shops are frequently not paid for. Recently, one of them came to the surface at a shop I work with - feather, prime, and block.
The Collision and Insurance industry together determined that feather, prime, and block is not an included procedure and should be added using the P-Pages
The Collision and Insurance industry together determined that feather, prime, and block is not an included procedure and should be added using the P-Pages
In 2006, the Collision Industry Conference Estimating Committee determined feather, prime, and block are not-included refinish operations that complete the process from 150grit to the condition of a new undamaged panel. Read the complete ruling at link below.
With this determination - shops can add this operation to the estimate and expect it to be paid.
Many shops I have interviewed don’t see this as a procedure they can likely get paid for. Other shops include it in all cases requiring primer in the repair. An example would be a full-size pickup truck with scratch damage on all lower panels except the tailgate. The primer cost will be $200+ and take 2-3 hours to block. Would you include and get paid in this situation?
Shops are focused on improving efficiency and profit. The body and paint techs are concerned about the time it takes to perform procedures that are not assigned any labor hours. Both want to complete a high quality repair and be profitable.
Some shops perform this procedure in the paint shop because they can most easily comply with the EPA 6H ruling requiring use of a booth (or 3oz or less), efficient filters, HVLP spray gun, and painter training. Other shops leave completion of the prime process with the body tech start to finish.
Often there is discussion concerning
which technician should complete the prime and block procedure. One option is to have the body tech come to
the paint shop to complete the final blocking process after the painter had
applied the primer. Another is to have
the painter complete this operation if the body and paint techs can establish
the acceptability of the body filler work before priming.
No matter if paint tech or body tech completes the operation both labor hours and paint materials are acceptable charges.
Value Points
- Feather, prime, and block is not an included procedure and can be added to the estimate
- Consistently include feather, prime, and block in estimates (keep on list of P-Page not-included) - you will get paid and in cases you don't you can use this as leverage for the future
- Make sure meeting EPA 6H requirements
- Mix and track all liquid on scale and use to validate labor and material cost on estimate
- Writing labor vs. replace can be more profitable depending on your business climate
Not getting paid for what we do is a commonplace dilemma for the collision repair industry. Thinking about what the primary causes are for that is another discussion. Getting paid for feather, prime, and block is a great place to start improving your gross profit today.
How does your shop handle this procedure?
How does your shop handle this procedure?
Link to Collision Industry Conference Estimating Committee:
Other links of interest:
