Why Quotes Change – The Mystery of “Additionals”
So, you got a repair quote. You thought you knew the damage, the costs, and the plan. And then — BAM — we hit you with “additionals.” Cue the raised eyebrows.
No, “additionals” isn’t code for pizza money for the workshop crew. It’s just the industry’s way of saying: we found stuff we couldn’t see until we took the car apart.
Why the First Quote Isn’t Gospel
When we assess your car, it’s still all put together. Panels, bumpers, trims — they hide things better than a toddler hiding sweets. Only once we strip it down do we see the sneaky cracks, bent brackets, or busted clips.
What Actually Counts as “Additionals”
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Hidden damage behind panels.
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Broken brackets, clips, and fasteners.
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Extra paint work when colors don’t match like they should.
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Calibration costs for sensors after reassembly.
How It Works (No Surprises, Promise)
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We take photos and document everything.
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We send the new findings to the insurer.
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We wait for their thumbs-up before touching anything.
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You stay in the loop the whole way.
The Big Misconceptions
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“They just changed the price for fun.” Nope, we’d rather finish the job on time. Additionals keep things safe and correct.
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“But it was just a small bump!” Impact energy travels. Even a “light kiss” can tweak mounting points or knock a sensor out of place.
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“Why blend if it’s only one panel?” Because your eyes notice mismatches faster than TikTok trends.
How You Can Help
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Tell us the full accident story (yes, even the embarrassing parts).
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Mention any old scratches or dents so we can separate them from the new ones.
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Stay reachable for quick approvals — it saves days, sometimes weeks.
Final Word
Additionals aren’t a scam or a surprise bill — they’re just the reality of fixing cars properly. Think of it as the difference between “good enough” and “done right.” And at Tekton, we don’t do “good enough.”