Best Panel Beaters in Lower Hutt

Browse top rated panel beating professionals, and know what you should expect to pay

Updated 1 May 2020

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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 Lower Hutt 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 Lower Hutt 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 Lower Hutt panel beaters guide covers:​​

• How much does panel beating and smash repairs cost? 
• When should I claim on my insurance?
• 10 Trusted Lower Hutt Panel Beaters
• DIY damage repairs

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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:

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. The type of paint required - does the panel beater need a specialist car paint? If so, there will be an extra cost. 
5. 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. 
6. 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 Lower Hutt 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:

1. 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.
2. Parts and materials - this can include doors, paint and anything specific to your repair. There may be a markup as well.
3. Specialist equipment costs - if your job requires non-standard tools or expertise, you will most likely pay an hourly charge on whatever was used.
4. GST - the total of 1, 2 and 3 above will be added, and GST (15%) added. 

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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. 

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.

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5 Reliable Lower Hutt Panel Beaters Available Right Now

​Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Lower Hutt. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Lower Hutt​, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services, specialist panel beating forums, and other soures.

No panel beating company has paid to appear on this list, and MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship with any panel beating company listed below.

Eastern Hutt Panelbeaters

Eastern Hutt Panelbeaters provides panel beating and spray-painting services in the Lower Hutt area. They also offer structural rust removal, a service that is seldom provided by other panel beaters nowadays.

​What customers like: 

• Completes work within the given time frame
• Doesn’t take on a job that they can’t do
• Professional panel beating service
• Great value for money
• Friendly and helpful staff

Services include: Structural rust removal, panel beating, spray painting, accident repairs and insurance claims 
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 5/5
Location: Taita, Lower Hutt 
Website:  Eastern Hutt Panelbeaters
Contact number: 04 567 8978

Alan Rea Panelbeaters & Spraypainters

Alan Rea Panelbeaters & Spraypainters is a panel beating and spray painting workshop based in Lower Hutt and servicing the Wellington region. They specialise on the collision repair of trucks and large vehicles.

What customers like:

• Friendly and helpful staff
• Professional service

Services include: Truck panel beating, spray painting and automotive repair
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Location: Petone, Lower Hutt 
Website: Alan Rea Panelbeaters & Spraypainters
Contact number: 04 568 5422

Bruce Thomson Motor Bodies

Bruce Thomson Motor Bodies has more than 28 years of experience in the automotive industry. Their expertise lies in collision repair and panel beating. Their team of mechanics have undergone I-Car training to make sure that they meet the vehicle manufacturer’s standards. Bruce Thomson Motor Bodies is a member of the NZ Collision Repair Association.

​What customers like:

• Great to deal with
• Fair pricing and efficient
• Offers helpful advice
• Fast and friendly service
• Excellent panel beating job

​Services include:   WOF repairs, panel beating, auto refinishing, collision repairs, rust removal, sandblasting, underselling, mag and bumper repairs
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 4.8/5
Location: Seaview, Lower Hutt
Website: Bruce Thomson Motor Bodies
Contact number: 04 939 8870​

Rolrich Panel & Spray

Rolrich Panel & Spray is a family-owned and operated collision repair centre in Lower Hutt that has been in the industry for more than 25 years. They have a team of qualified panel beating specialists. Rolrich Panel & Spray is MTA Approved and is an NZ CRA member.

What customers like:

• Fits in customers in need even during a busy schedule
• Informative and friendly staff
• Reliable and great work quality
• Makes the process as convenient as possible
• Great client communication

Services include: Automotive refinishing, collision repairs and panel beating   
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Location: Lower Hutt 
Website: Rolrich Panel & Spray
Contact number: 04 568 4837

Stokes Valley Collision

Stokes Valley Collision Repair offers professional panel beating and spraypainting services for both cars and motorcycles in the Lower Hutt area. Their services range from simple mag wheels painting to more extensive collision repair jobs.
What customers like:

• Quick to finish the job
• Helpful and friendly staff
• Professional panel beating service
• Good customer service

​Services include: Collision repairs, spray painting, WOF rust repairs, insurance works and chassis repairs
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.8/5
Location: Stokes Valley Lower Hutt
Website: Stokes Valley Collision Repair 
Contact number: 04 563 7205

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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. 

Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with any of the companies listed on this page. Quotes and final bills for individual panel beating jobs vary, and our pricing guide is for guidance purposes only.