Auto Shop Estimator
Learn how collision repair estimators analyze damage, build estimates, source parts, and work with insurers.
- 6 modules, 24 self-paced lessons
- Practical action steps in every lesson
- Certificate of completion
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Who this track is for
Body-shop techs, service writers, parts staff and career changers who want to move into the estimator's chair at a collision repair shop.
What you will be able to do
- Walk a damaged vehicle through intake, teardown and damage analysis
- Tell structural from cosmetic damage and spot supplement triggers early
- Build a line-by-line estimate using labor-time guides and estimating platforms
- Choose between OEM, aftermarket and recycled parts and manage returns and cores
- Document supplements and negotiate with adjusters professionally
- Map the training path from estimator to shop manager
Course curriculum
6 modules and 24 lessons, taken in order at your own pace.
Module 1 · The Estimator's Role and the Repair Process
- What a Collision Estimator Actually Does
- How a Vehicle Moves Through the Shop
- Reading the First Notice of Loss and Intake
- Module 1 Review
Module 2 · Damage Analysis and Vehicle Inspection
- Conducting a Thorough Walkaround and Teardown
- Structural vs Cosmetic Damage
- Hidden Damage and Supplement Triggers
- Module 2 Review
Module 3 · Estimating Systems and Labor Times
- How Estimating Platforms Work
- Labor Time Guides and Operations
- Building a Line-by-Line Estimate
- Module 3 Review
Module 4 · Parts Sourcing: OEM, Aftermarket, and Recycled
- Parts Categories and When Each Applies
- Working with LKQ and Recycled Parts Vendors
- Parts Procurement, Returns, and Core Charges
- Module 4 Review
Module 5 · Supplements, Negotiation, and Insurer Relations
- Why Supplements Happen and How to Document Them
- Negotiating with Adjusters
- DRP Programs and Insurer Relationships
- Module 5 Review
Module 6 · Career Pathway: Training, Tools, and Growth
- I-CAR and Industry Training Pathways
- Certifications, Tools, and Tech Stack
- Career Progression: Estimator to Shop Manager
- Module 6 Review
How it works
Self-paced online course hosted on Technical Skills College. Enroll, sign in, and work through the modules in order. Apply each lesson's action step on the job or in practice, and finish with a certificate of completion. You keep lifetime access, including updates.
This track is also included in the TSC Pro Bundle ($497), which covers every career track.
Questions
Is this a license or certification?
No. This is skills training. You receive a certificate of completion from Technical Skills College. Licenses and industry certifications are issued by state agencies and independent certifying bodies, and requirements vary by state and trade. Always verify your local requirements.
How long do I have access?
Lifetime access, including updates.
What if it is not for me?
Digital products carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. See the Refund Policy.