Depends what you are looking for, modern production work (wreck repair) is much different now a days than someone that can do a very nice paint job on an old car. The guys doing the work may be very capable of doing both jobs, but many good production shops may not even want to mess with a full paint job on an old car, because the good money is in wreck repair goin in and out the door as quickly as possible. So if a shop that doesnt really want to take the time to do a quality repaint on an old car does the job the resulsts may not be as good as you would expect, or it will be very costly. I have a buddy that is a very good painter at a well respected production shop I try to get him do do my stuff on the side during the winter at his pace for much less than it would cost going through the shop.
It would help to know what your looking to have done. We have several very good shops in Spokane. But very few I'd recommend for hot rod or restoration work. It's a different process than collision. I've done a lot of both, but not in the same shop.In most cases a quality collision shop has neither the time or interest in old cars. That said I wouldn't take a late model wreck to a shop geared towards restoration. In either case look at their work, seek out referrals from people that have had similar work done. Check out the shop, and their work in progress. Most of the time my customers have already been screwed and or the car has been butchered before they come to me. Most times it's at least partially their own fault. I'd be happy to give more suggestions but you have to give a little more info.
Let's see...... If the only tools in the bodyman's box are 1 BFH and a large assortment of squeegees..... MOVE ON!
collision work on new car? or restoration work on old car? two different things. by the way can that sunken living room be fixed? i heard between zero and five shots.
I'm no expert, but you have to determine what price range you're in. That will narrow the list a lot. Word of mouth is good, but I get the feeling there is high turnover in body shops, so someone who got a good paint job a year ago at ABC body, doesnt mean you will get one. I say stop by each shop (more than once) and see for yourself what they push out the door.... and, make your expectations very clear ahead of time
For general paint and body work, the ones that have a backlog and no sign appeal to me. Good custom or build or restoration work is more specific and their past completed projects and clients will be convincing. Boerne Stage Kustoms for instance.
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