LABOR RATE SURVEYS
Collision Repair facilities need to understand the importance of filling out labor rate surveys. Keeping your information up to date in these databases creates a more fair market for everyone. In such a highly skilled industry, we should be submitting and collecting this data regularly as our requirements to fix these technologically-advanced vehicles is constantly evolving.
To avoid consequences as a result of being pursued under the Clayton Act use a non-contracted rate (retail door rate) when filling out surveys. It is also very important to accurately report your employee, work stall and certification counts– these are taken into consideration.
Labor Rate Hero
National Auto Body Research (NABR) is an independent research, technology, and business consulting firm serving the automotive collision repair industry, working to enable an industry-wide rational pricing model for labor rates, and to help level the playing field for payment of necessary but not-included repair procedures and operations, all for the ultimate care and safety of the consumer.
Use LaborRateHero.com to take the survey and view labor rates in your area. You can also submit your retail door rates and certifications by clicking the SUBMIT RATES button on the top right section of the site. This is one of the only labor rate surveys in which repair shops have access to the results and data.
State Farm Labor Survey
Collision repair shops should participate in the State Farm Repair Facility Survey, whether you’re on their program or not as it could affect the prevailing market rate in your area. When shops do not keep their rates updated in the State Farm Survey, the current prevailing rate may not be accurately reflected.
The survey should be updated whenever certain conditions change within your facility. This could be the number of technicians and/or work stalls or if the cost of doing business has changed. With the cost of doing business constantly changing you should keep ALL surveys up to date.
Anti trust guidelines
You should not discuss your rates or prices or consult with any other repair facility when updating your information. Any joint understanding or agreement among competing repair facilities concerning pricing constitutes illegal price-fixing in violation of antitrust laws and carries substantial civil and criminal penalties. Pricing decisions must be made independently and not in concert or coordination with other repair facilities.
