How long does collision repair take?
Quick answer
Most collision repairs take 4–9 business days once parts are in hand. Small dent-and-paint jobs finish in 2–3 days; repairs with structural damage or back-ordered parts can run two weeks or more. At our shop, recent examples include a rear-end BMW X7 in 6 days and a front-end Mercedes S560 in 8.
Typical timelines by damage type
A useful rule of thumb: cosmetic work is measured in days, structural work in weeks.
- Scratch or single-panel refinish: 2–3 days
- Paintless dent repair (door dings, light hail): 1–3 days
- Bumper replacement with paint: 3–5 days
- Multi-panel collision with parts: 5–9 days
- Structural/frame repair: 1–3 weeks depending on parts
What actually drives the schedule
Parts availability is the biggest variable — an OEM bumper for a common pickup arrives next-day, while a quarter panel for a newer EV can take weeks. Insurance approval is the second: supplements for hidden damage found at teardown need adjuster sign-off before that work can start.
This is why a shop that performs a full teardown before finalizing the estimate usually delivers faster overall — hidden damage is found and approved once, instead of stopping the job mid-repair.
How to keep your repair moving
Approve the estimate quickly, choose a shop that handles supplements directly with your insurer, and ask for a written timeline up front. We include one with every estimate and update you if teardown changes it — you should never have to call for status.
