Auto Repair Estimating Software That Gets More Approvals
Build professional repair estimates in minutes. Mechanics auto-populates labor times, parts costs, and shop supply fees so you can send estimates customers approve.
THE ESTIMATING PROBLEM
Why Estimating Is Where Shops Lose Time (And Money)
Estimating takes forever. You diagnose a transmission issue, then hunt for labor times in old books or memory. You look up parts pricing, calculate markups, add shop supply percentages, compute taxes. By the time you send the estimate, you've spent 30-45 minutes on a single job. Then the customer calls with questions. Or rejects it because the price looks too high. Or you discover you forgot a labor operation, so you eat the cost.
The shops winning at this have moved to digital estimating. They build estimates in 5-10 minutes, send them to customers instantly, and get approvals the same day.
HOW IT WORKS
Estimating in Four Simple Steps
Select the Job Type
Choose what the customer is in for: transmission service, brake pads, full diagnostic, engine overhaul. Each job type has standard labor operations built in.
Labor Hours Auto-Populate
Mechanics knows standard labor times for common jobs. A transmission flush takes 1.5 hours. Brake pad replacement takes 0.8 hours. No more guessing or flipping through worn manuals. You adjust if needed, but most times the defaults save you 10+ minutes.
Add Parts and Costs
Pick parts from inventory or add new ones. Mechanics auto-applies your cost and markup percentage. If you want to sell a transmission fluid additive for $35, you add it and mark it up by 45% — Mechanics calculates the customer price instantly. No spreadsheet hunting.
Send and Get Approval
Send the estimate via text, email, or print it out. Customers can approve directly from their phone or in your shop. Once approved, the estimate converts to a work order automatically. No typing it up again.
BUILD TRUST WITH CUSTOMERS
What's in a Professional Estimate
Customers approve estimates faster when they understand what they're paying for. Mechanics builds estimates that show everything clearly.
Labor Hours × Rate
Show the customer exactly what labor you're charging. "Transmission flush: 1.5 hours @ $120/hour = $180." They see the work behind the cost.
Parts with Markup
Every part shows cost, quantity, and your markup. Customers understand they're not just paying for the fluid— they're paying for your expertise and your cost to source it.
Shop Supply Fee
Add a shop supplies percentage to cover rags, solvents, compressed air. Most shops charge 5-10% of labor. Mechanics calculates it automatically.
Automatic Tax Calculation
Set your local tax rate once. Mechanics applies it to the subtotal so the final number is accurate. No surprises for the customer.
FASTER APPROVALS
The Customer Approval Workflow
Stop waiting for customers to call back. Send the estimate and let them approve on their terms.
Text or Email the Estimate
One click sends it via SMS or email with a link the customer can open on their phone. No portal login. No confusion. Just a clean, mobile-friendly estimate.
Customer Approves from Phone
They see the breakdown, ask questions if needed (you're there), and tap "Approve." No paper. No waiting for a callback. Most estimates get approved within 2-5 minutes of being sent.
Becomes a Work Order Automatically
No re-entry. The approved estimate turns into a work order instantly. Your tech sees it on their tablet and starts the job immediately. 30 seconds from approval to work assignment.
Track Approval Rate
See which estimates get approved and how fast. If approval rates drop, you know something changed (price, job type, communication). Data helps you improve.
FOR YOUR SHOP
Built for Every Type of Repair Shop
General Auto Repair
Build estimates for brake jobs, transmission flushes, oil changes, diagnostics, and more. Labor times are standardized for common jobs across all makes and models.
Independent Shops
You set your own labor rates, markups, and supply percentages. Control every number to match your business model.
Specialty Shops
Transmission, diesel, electric vehicle, or collision shops can add custom job types and labor codes so estimates match your specialty.
Multi-Bay Operations
Assign estimates to techs, track which bay they'll use, and see every job in the pipeline at a glance.
REAL RESULTS
What Shops See When They Switch to Digital
Faster Estimates
From 30-45 minutes down to 5-10 minutes per estimate.
More Approvals
Customers approve faster when they see the breakdown on their phone.
Fewer Disputes
Clear, itemized estimates with no surprises. Less haggling.
THE BETTER WAY
Manual Estimates vs. Mechanics
| Aspect | Manual / Books | Mechanics |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Time Lookup | Flip through Chilton or Alldata, 5-10 min per job | Auto-populated, 30 seconds |
| Parts Pricing | Phone supplier or check RockAuto/Amazon, hunt for cost | Inventory system, instant cost + markup |
| Markup Calculation | Manual math (often wrong), varies by part | Set once, applies to all parts |
| Shop Supply Calculation | Estimate or forget it | Automatic percentage of labor |
| Tax Calculation | Manual, easy to miss or miscalculate | Automatic and accurate |
| Customer Delivery | Print or type into email, no mobile view | Text/email with mobile-friendly link |
| Approval Tracking | Wait for phone call, hope they call back | Customer approves on phone, instant notification |
| Conversion to Work Order | Type it all into the work order, 15-20 min per job | Automatic, zero re-entry |
| Total Time per Estimate | 30-45 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
Why Flat-Rate Books Don't Cut It Anymore
Problem: Data Gets Stale
A 2019 flat-rate book doesn't account for 2024 labor rates, new electrical diagnostics, software updates, or hybrid vehicles. You're either overcharging (and losing customers) or undercharging (and losing money).
Problem: No Flexibility
Some jobs take 1.5 hours. Some take 2 hours. Flat-rate books give you one number. Mechanics lets you adjust labor times based on difficulty, customer vehicle, or tech experience.
Problem: You Still Hunt for Parts Prices
Flat-rate books don't tell you what parts cost today. You still need to call suppliers or search online. Mechanics integrates with your inventory, so prices are always current.
Solution: Dynamic, Data-Driven Estimating
Mechanics combines labor standards with your actual costs and rates. You own the data. You set the rates. You get estimates that reflect your business and your expertise.
SIMPLE PRICING
No Hidden Fees. No Surprise Charges
All plans include estimating, work orders, invoicing, customer approval, and basic reporting. The only variable is the number of users on your account.
All plans include a free 30-day trial. No credit card required.
Stop Spending 45 Minutes Per Estimate
Mechanics estimating software is built by people who understand auto repair. Build estimates faster, get approvals sooner, and start work immediately. No re-entry. No guessing. Just estimates that work.
Build Your First Estimate FreeFree for 30 days. All features included. No credit card required.