Auto body repair · Quotes and invoices
Quote software for auto body repairers
Bodywork and paint repairs: itemize parts, panel and paint hours, and format the quote the insurer asks for.
A sample auto body quote
| Service | Qty | Unit price excl. VAT | Total excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front bumper removal and refitting | 1 flat rate | €90.00 | €90.00 |
| Panel work: fender repair | 3 h | €62.00 | €186.00 |
| Paint, prep and clear coat | 4 h | €58.00 | €232.00 |
| Paint supplies | 1 flat rate | €140.00 | €140.00 |
VAT 20%: €129.60
Total incl. VAT: €777.60
Example for guidance only: prices and VAT rates vary depending on your region, suppliers and the job.
How to prepare an auto body quote
To price a bodywork repair, start from the vehicle: make, model, license plate and damaged areas. Then separate the items as in your template quote: removal and refitting of parts, panel hours, paint hours, then paint supplies (primer, base coat, clear coat, consumables). For each line, give the quantity and unit price, distinguishing hourly rates if you use more than one. List parts to be replaced with their reference and price. Add a note about hidden damage: once the bumper is off, further repairs may come to light and will be covered by an additional quote.
Clearly identify the vehicle (license plate, model) and the client. Also include the usual quote details: date, validity period, business name, address and SIRET number, totals excluding and including VAT, and the VAT rate. In France, vehicle repair generally falls under the 20% rate. The reduced rates for work in homes don’t apply, and France’s ten-year liability insurance (assurance décennale) doesn’t cover your trade. If you are a micro-entrepreneur under the VAT exemption scheme, state “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”. For insurance claims, align your pricing with the operations approved during the assessment. Keep photos of the vehicle’s condition on arrival.
In Ecomely, describe the damage to Zély, the AI Assistant: she prepares a draft quote with removal, panel, paint and supplies items. You review it, adjust hours and prices, then send the quote. The client signs it online, giving you their approval before you take the vehicle off the road. When you hand it back, the quote becomes an invoice in one click. The client can pay by card, and automatic reminders handle unpaid invoices. Client records and documents stay together, so you can quickly find a vehicle’s history or a file linked to an assessment.
What Ecomely does for auto body repairers
- Fill in quotes from your phone, with your saved services and prices.
- Clients sign online from a simple link.
- Turn a quote into an invoice in one click, with card payment and reminders.
- Clients, documents and emails all in one place.
Trade vocabulary
- Paintless dent repair (débosselage sans peinture)
- Technique that removes a small dent without repainting.
- OEM paint code (teinte constructeur)
- The manufacturer’s color code for an exact paint match.
- Insurance assessment (expertise)
- Visit by the insurance assessor who prices the repairs.
- Write-off report (rapport VE)
- Economically irreparable vehicle (véhicule économiquement irréparable): the repair cost exceeds the car’s value.
Frequently asked questions
My client’s insurer wants a quote: what should it include?
Itemize each operation: removal and refitting, separate panel and paint hours, parts with their reference and price, and paint supplies. State totals excluding and including VAT, the VAT rate and the vehicle identification. The assessor compares your pricing with the operations they approve. A quote structured item by item makes this exchange easier and cuts down on back-and-forth.
I find extra damage after removing the bumper: what should I do?
Stop before starting any unplanned work. Inform the client, photograph the damage you found and draw up an additional quote with the new parts and extra hours. Have it accepted before continuing. If an assessor is involved in the claim, let them know too. A note about hidden damage in the original quote prepares the client for this possibility.
Can I apply 10% VAT to a bodywork repair?
No. In France, the reduced 10% and 5.5% rates cover certain work carried out in homes, subject to conditions. They don’t apply to vehicle repairs, so your quote is generally at 20%. The only exception: if you are a micro-entrepreneur under the VAT exemption scheme, you don’t charge VAT and state “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”.
Should I price painting the panels next to the repaired part?
If blending the color onto adjacent panels is needed to avoid a visible color difference, include it on a separate line, with its own hours and supplies. Explain to the client why this blending is useful. For insurance claims, check that the operation is among those approved during the assessment. If not, flag it to the assessor before starting work.
The rules mentioned on this page (VAT, required quote details, insurance) are those that apply in France.