The Best Panel Beaters in Dunedin
Browse top rated panel beating professionals, and know what you should expect to pay
Updated 7 May 2024
Summary:
Our Dunedin panel beaters guide covers:
- Nothing is more annoying than discovering a car dent. Not only is a getting panel beating inconvenient, it's also an almost-certainly expensive. If you're insured, then you will need to decide whether or not you you claim given the excess costs and affects on your car insurance premiums. The next step involves finding a reliable, skilled and trusted panel beater in Dunedin who can fix the damage as quickly as possible.
- To help you and put you in the strongest position, we've handpicked a list of reliable, affordable and trusted panel beaters in Dunedin to save you time and money. Our guide to how much panel beating jobs cost helps pre-empt what you can expect to pay.
- Some minor dents and dings can be solved with a DIY approach, but you'll need to be careful. We guide you through what you can do if you're happy to sort out the problem yourself first.
Our Dunedin panel beaters guide covers:
​
How much does panel beating and smash repairs cost?
What you pay will depend on many different factors, so no repair is like another. The factors that affect your quote include:
Generally, all things being equal, the cheapest type of cars to fix will be a Toyota Corolla or Mazda Demio, and the most expensive will be a French or German make.
Nothing is straightforward - it's normal for panel damage repair to look worse than it is when it comes to getting a quote, but conversely, sometimes minor damage can end up costing more than you expect if specialist paint or hands are needed.
- Parts required - if the damage means you'll need a new door or panel, then it'll be more expensive than merely repairing some superficial paint damage.
- The time taken to do the work (panel beaters and painters labour) - time is usually charged on a 10-minute basis, so the greater the extent of the damage, the more time spent. A minor scratch will be faster to repair than severe paint damage.
- Your car's make, age and model - European parts can often be more expensive than Japanese or Korean, and if your car is old, finding a replacement door can be tricky.
- The type of paint required - does the panel beater need a specialist car paint? If so, there will be an extra cost.
- Whether or not you're insured, and the excess - needless to say, if you're uninsured, you'll have to stump up the entire bill yourself. If you are insured, your excess will usually be anywhere between $250 and $750. If if the damage wasn't your fault, claiming from your insurer will likely affect your car insurance premium when you renew.
- If complications arise - it may look like a regular job, but if during the repairs your panel beater finds rust or other damage, the job cost may increase.
Generally, all things being equal, the cheapest type of cars to fix will be a Toyota Corolla or Mazda Demio, and the most expensive will be a French or German make.
Nothing is straightforward - it's normal for panel damage repair to look worse than it is when it comes to getting a quote, but conversely, sometimes minor damage can end up costing more than you expect if specialist paint or hands are needed.
What can I expect to pay?
- The average panel beater job costs around $1,000, but can quickly get to over $3,000 or $5,000.
- Scratch repairs and paint damage removal can cost under $1,000.
- Because no quotes are alike, and knowing that expertise and trust is everything, we have listed Dunedin panel beaters who have trusted reputations and deliver on quality.
- We believe those panel beaters who give customers a low price for a quick job can compromise on quality and often lead to problems and more cost later on.
How does a panel beater charge me?
A bill from a panel beater is usually made up of a number of factors:
- Labour charge - this is a set rate, exclusive of GST, often between $80 and $130 per hour. There will often be a minimum first-hour charge.
- Parts and materials - this can include doors, paint and anything specific to your repair. There may be a markup as well.
- Specialist equipment costs - if your job requires non-standard tools or expertise, you will most likely pay an hourly charge on whatever was used.
- GST - the total of 1, 2 and 3 above will be added, and GST (15%) added.
​
When should and shouldn't I claim on my insurance?
If you have comprehensive insurance, your policy will likely cover any panel beating costs. But it doesn't always make financial sense to claim on your policy. Depending on the type of insurance, a claim today can increase your policy cost when it comes time to renew or switch car insurers.
To help explain things more clearly, we identify five common accident scenarios and estimate the cost of panel beating repairs. We aim to help you decide whether it makes sense to claim with your car insurance company or pay for it yourself.
To help explain things more clearly, we identify five common accident scenarios and estimate the cost of panel beating repairs. We aim to help you decide whether it makes sense to claim with your car insurance company or pay for it yourself.
Damage |
Estimate |
DIY Repair? |
Claim? |
Dented bumper |
$400 to $700 |
Possible |
Consider claiming if panel beating cost significantly exceeds excess |
Minor paint scratches |
$250 to $600 |
Possible |
Claiming is likely to be more cost effective if costs exceed $1,000+ |
Deep paint scratches |
$500+ |
Unlikely |
Claiming is likely to be more cost effective if costs exceed $1,000+ |
Rear end damage |
$500+ |
Unlikely |
Claiming is likely to be more cost effective if costs exceed $1,000+ |
For more details about car insurance excesses and quotes in general, visit our car insurance comparison guide.
​
Trusted and Reliable Dunedin Panel Beaters Available Right Now
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Dunedin. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Dunedin, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services, specialist panel beating forums, and other soures.
Harrow Motor Body Works
Base: Kensington, Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Website: Harrow Motor Body Works
Facebook page: None
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 1773
What customers like:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Website: Harrow Motor Body Works
Facebook page: None
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 1773
What customers like:
- Provides an upfront quotation on the same day of request
- Carefully set the client's expectations before starting work
- Excellent service and quality work
- Professional, polite and friendly staff
- Quick to action
Pros:
- Provides courtesy car
- Approved Collision Repairer for VW/Audi
- Specialists in late-model vehicles
Cons:
- Closed during weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Harrow Motor Body Works is one of Dunedin's largest collision repair workshops.
- They started in 1962 as a panel beating business and continued to grow to service 160 vehicles each month on an average.
- Their services include Insurance works, panel beating and paint works.
- Harrow Motor Body Works is a Winner of the 2011 NZ Collision Repair Association "Commitment To Training" Award
Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 5/5
Website: Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters
Facebook page: Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 2151
What customers like:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 5/5
Website: Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters
Facebook page: Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 2151
What customers like:
- Excellent service at a reasonable price
- Quick to repair
- Highly professional staff
- Great client communication and customer service
- Goes the extra mile for their client
Pros:
- Specialist in truck and heavy vehicle repairs
- Provides PPG automotive coatings come with a three to five-year warranty.
Cons:
- No operation during weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Brownlie & Scoles Panel Beaters is a locally owned and operated collision repair and car panel beating centre in South Dunedin.
- They have over 50 years of experience in the industry and specialise in commercial accident repairs for cars, trailers, trucks and chassis.
- Services include panel beating, collision repairs, truck smash repairs, paint refinishing and insurance works.
Clements & Stephens
Location: Kensington, Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 4:30 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 5/5
Website: Clements & Stephens
Facebook: None
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 477 7678
What customers like:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 4:30 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 5/5
Website: Clements & Stephens
Facebook: None
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 477 7678
What customers like:
- Does a fast and effective job
- Completes the repair the same day when possible
- Provides helpful advice to their clients
- Works beyond what they are asked to do
- Friendly and helpful staff
Pros:
- Member of the Collision Repair Association
Cons:
- No operation during weekends
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Clements & Stephens offers minor dent repairs to major structural damage panel beating service for all types of cars, including the latest European models.
- They use the latest precision technology and equipment required to restore a vehicle’s original form.
- Some of their services are body works, restorations, panel beating, panel replacements, paintwork, detailing and insurance works.
South City Panel Beaters
Location: South Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Website: South City Panel Beaters
Facebook page: South City Panel Beaters
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 5855
What customers like:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.5/5
Website: South City Panel Beaters
Facebook page: South City Panel Beaters
Email address: [email protected]
Phone: 03 455 5855
What customers like:
- Trustworthy workers
- High quality of work
- Does the job without any hassle
Pros:
- Provides after-hours service
- Has two separate locations in Dunedin – Melbourne Street and Princes Street
Cons:
- Closed during Saturdays and Sundays
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- South City Panel Beaters is a family-owned panel beating business established in 1978.
- They were known for their dedication to customer service and quality craftsmanship.
- South City Panel Beaters is a member of the NZ Collision Repair Association and is undertaking a Quality Assurance Program.
- Services include Automotive repairs, bodyworks, paintwork, panel beating, buffing, alignments and chassis servicing.
​
DIY damage repairs for small dents and damage
If you're happy to try a DIY approach, minor damage can be tackled with common household tools without the risk of making it worse.
Small shallow dents (up to 5-8 cm in diameter) – if a flying stone has hit you or had someone back into you ever so slightly, hold a toilet plunger over the centre and apply pressure. When you release tension, the dent should be pulled out, and the panel will fall back into shape. It won't work on corner dents, but if your dent is on the bonnet, roof, boot or door, you may be in luck. This video explains more about what you should and shouldn't do, and the limitations of DIY.
Warning – unless you have the experience, correct tools and confidence, DIY panel beating could make the situation worse. If in doubt, don't proceed. If you see that the dent has ripples or a crease, it's likely only a panel beater is going to be able to help. This may be frustrating due to the small size of the damage, but panel beating is a highly skilled profession for a reason.
Small shallow dents (up to 5-8 cm in diameter) – if a flying stone has hit you or had someone back into you ever so slightly, hold a toilet plunger over the centre and apply pressure. When you release tension, the dent should be pulled out, and the panel will fall back into shape. It won't work on corner dents, but if your dent is on the bonnet, roof, boot or door, you may be in luck. This video explains more about what you should and shouldn't do, and the limitations of DIY.
Warning – unless you have the experience, correct tools and confidence, DIY panel beating could make the situation worse. If in doubt, don't proceed. If you see that the dent has ripples or a crease, it's likely only a panel beater is going to be able to help. This may be frustrating due to the small size of the damage, but panel beating is a highly skilled profession for a reason.
⚠️ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.
