Chrysler Collision Center in Sun Valley, CA

It depends entirely on the damage. A cosmetic bumper or panel repair often wraps up in a few days; moderate body and paint work usually runs one to two weeks; a structural repair with parts on backorder can take three weeks or more. Your written estimate will include a realistic timeline once the damage is fully assessed.

"Body shop" is the broader term, it can mean anything from paint correction to dent repair, accident-related or not. "Collision center" usually points to a shop set up to handle post-accident repair specifically: structural correction, insurance coordination, and sensor recalibration alongside the cosmetic work. DASA Auto Works does both under one roof.

Costs vary widely by damage type. A minor scratch or bumper repair might run a few hundred dollars; moderate panel and paint work often falls in the low thousands; structural or frame damage, especially on vehicles with aluminum panels or sensors that need recalibrating — can run several thousand dollars or more. A free written estimate will give you the number for your specific vehicle.

It comes down to the extent of the damage, whether the panel is structural or purely cosmetic, and what the repair costs relative to replacement. A crease that hasn't compromised the panel's integrity can often be repaired; a bent or cracked structural panel usually needs replacing. We'll tell you which applies to your vehicle rather than defaulting to the more expensive option.