Best Panel Beaters in Wellington

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 Wellington 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 Wellington 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 Wellington panel beaters guide covers:​​

• How much does panel beating and smash repairs cost? 
• When should I claim on my insurance?
• 8 Trusted Wellington 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 Wellington​ 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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Trusted and Reliable Wellington Panel Beaters Available Right Now

​Our list below, which is no particular order, covers the Wellington area, excluding the Hutt valley. We have selected these panel beaters based on their history of longstanding service within Wellington, 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.

Airflowe Panel and Paint Ltd (Kaiwharawhara)

Airflowe Panel and Paint Ltd is a Wellington-owned and operated business located in Kaiwharawhaura. Airflowe specialises in insurance works for vehicles requiring repair services of any nature.

​What customers like: 

• Friendly service
• Efficient and works fast
• Great location
• Responsive to enquiries 
• Provides quality paint job

 
Services include:  Insurance work, panel beating, dent repairs and full car re-spray
Courtesy car?  No
Google Rating: 4.9/5
Location: Kaiwharawhara, Wellington 
Website:  Airflowe Panel and Paint Ltd
Contact number:  04 472 0122

Wellington Panel and Paint (Rongotai)

Wellington Panel and Paint is an auto body shop in Rongotai that offers quality panel beating and paint services for all types of land vehicles. 

What customers like: 

• High-quality spray painting
• Offers reasonable price
• Helpful and upfront about the cost
• Gets the job done as fast as possible
• Friendly and approachable staff

Services include: Panelbeating, re-painting and accident repairs.   
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 5/5
Location: Rongotai
Website: Wellington Panel and Paint
Contact number: 04 387 8318

Edwards Panel & Paint (Lyall Bay)

Edwards Panel & Paint provides private vehicle repair services ranging from small dents to major collision repairs.  They make use of the latest technologies to make sure that your car is restored and calibrated to its original form. Edwards Panel & Paint is a member of the Motor Trade Association (MTA) and the Collision Repair Association (CRA).

​What customers like:

• Reasonable prices
• Finishes the work on time
• Provides accurate quotation
• Quality panel beating services
• Offers professional and personalised service

Services include:  Collision repairs, panel beating services and insurance works
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Location: Lyall Bay, Wellington
Website:  Edwards Panel & Paint
Contact number: 04 387 3105

Spot On Panel & Paint Ltd (Mount Victoria)

Spot On Panel & Paint Ltd has been in the industry for over 29 years offering modern procedures on spray painting and panel beating. It is now operating under the management of AutoXpress that has 15 years of experience in the automotive mechanical field.

​What customers like:

• High-quality work
• Great price
• Good customer service
• Discusses everything the client has to know

​Services include: Spray painting and refinishing, panel beating, insurance works, rust repairs and other general vehicle services.
Courtesy car?  No
Google Rating:  5/5
Location:  Mount Victoria
Website:  Spot On Panel & Paint Ltd
Contact number: 04 384 2717

Porirua Motor Body Repairs Ltd

Porirua Motor Body Repairs Ltd prides themselves as the longest established collision repair shop in Porirua. They started operating since 1963, providing panel beating and spray painting services. They extend their services to motorbike repairs, furniture paint jobs and wheel replacements.

What customers like:

• Does an excellent job at minimal expense
• Great customer service
• Willing to go the extra mile for their clients
• Quality finish and excellent workmanship

​Services include:  Collision repairs, spray painting, insurance work, car detailing and other repair services for four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes.
Courtesy car?  Yes
Google Rating:  4.9/6
Location:  Elsdon, Porirua
Website:  Porirua Motor Body Repairs Ltd
Contact number: 04 237 8917

Just Rust (Tawa)

Just Rust specialises in comprehensive smash repairs in the Wellington area but also covers interior and exterior detailing along with cosmetic restoration. They have a base of satisfied customers through their years of service in the industry.
What customers like:

• Professional and friendly team
• Fantastic paint job
• Excellent service and good prices
• Accurate quotation price
• Reasonable pricing
• Provides personalised service

Services include: Smash repairs, re-painting, car detailing and cosmetic restoration
Courtesy car?  No
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Location: Tawa
Website:  Just Rust
Contact number: 04 232 6623

Wall Place Panel & Paint (Porirua)

Wall Place Panel & Paint provides service to all types of vehicles including 4WDs, trucks, vans, motorcycles and boats. They have a team of certified repairers and technicians who knows how to deal with small detailing procedures to more comprehensive collision repairs.

What customers like:

• Excellent repair service
• Works around the client’s budget
• Friendly and helpful team
• Reasonable pricing

​Services include: Collision repairs, rust repairs, body modifications and custom paint works. 
Courtesy car? No
Google Rating: 4.7/5
Location: Wall Place, Porirua
Website: Wall Place Panel & Paint
Contact number: 04 232 7012

Heretaunga Collision Repair Centre

Heretaunga Collision Repair Centre has been serving the Wellington and Hutt Valley area for over 11 years. They provide professional panel beating and spray painting services for all types of vehicles. Heretaunga Collision Repair Centre is MTA assured and is an authorised repair centre of Mazda, Holden, Hyundai cars.
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What customers like

• Friendly and professional service
• Fast turn around
• Great client communication and thoroughly explains what needs to be done
• High-quality finish
• Transparent with their job
• No budget surprises

Services include:  Panel beating, spray painting,
Courtesy car? Yes
Google Rating:  4.9/5
Location: Trentham, Wellington
Website:  Heretaunga Collision Repair Centre
Contact number: 04 472 2020

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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.