The Repair Process

There are many steps involved with the repair process. As a general rule, the more damage caused in the accident, the more complex the repair process is. Listed below are the necessary steps for an “average” collision repair. Please keep in mind collision repair is not an exact science and because of this we are not always able to give you an exact date when your vehicle will be ready.

Administrative: After the estimate has been written, the approvals are obtained from the owner and the insurance company. NYS Law prevents a repair facility from beginning any repair to a vehicle until all the proper authorizations are received. Depending on your specific situation, different authorizations may or may not be needed. T.A.C.S. Service Managers will explain which authorizations are needed for your situation. Please, keep in mind the sooner we receive all the authorizations the sooner we can order parts and begin your repair.

Parts: We order the necessary parts, based on your initial estimate, to repair your vehicle before we begin to “tear down” your vehicle. Insurance companies are only able to cover parts in their first estimate that they can “physically” see are damaged on your vehicle. Most of the time (due to this insurance procedure), additional damage is discovered during the tear down process. At that point, we will contact your insurance company to come and inspect the additional damage. By law, insurance companies have 48 hours (2 days) to send an adjuster to our facility to review the additional damage. Once they approve the additional damage, we can order the rest of the parts and continue with your repair. Please keep in mind; this may lengthen the time to repair your vehicle. This is considered the supplemental damage.

Tear-Down: Your car is assigned to a technician to begin the repair process. At that time they “tear-down” the damaged area of the vehicle and remove all damaged parts. A complete list of any additional hidden damage that is found is made and given to the T.A.C.S. Service Manager. The Service Manager then contacts the Insurance Company for them to come and inspect the new damage. NYS Law allows Insurance Adjusters 48 hours (2 days) from the time we contact them with the additional damage list to arrive at our facility.

Revised Estimate: The Service Manager revises the estimate to include the additional parts and labor that are necessary to complete the repair of your vehicle. This information is then forwarded to your insurance company for approval. We also will contact you with this information.

Structural Repairs: If there is damage to the inner structure of your vehicle we are able to repair the damage on our frame machine along with a computerized frame measuring system. Our computerized measuring system will provide us with the specific manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle so we can assure you your frame is back to the manufacturer’s specifications once your repair is complete.

Cosmetic Repairs: Once the structural damage is repaired, sheet metal repair and replacement operations are performed.

Refinish Process:

All parts of your vehicle that need to be refinished go through a thorough preparation process.
The exterior finish is applied on site in our paint booth.
We offer a 30 day wax and buff on the newly painted panels as a finishing process to remove any imperfections in the paint.

Re-assembling Your Vehicle: After your vehicle is complete, the technician that has worked on your vehicle reassembles your vehicle, attaches trim, door handles, mirrors and other various parts that had to be removed to complete the repair.

Mechanical Repairs: If needed T.A.C.S. has an in-house Service Department to handle your mechanical repairs. Keep in mind mechanical repairs often need resets, alignments, or other tests to ensure the system is working properly.

Detailing: After the repairs are complete we detail the vehicle inside and out. This is a FREE service we offer on all of our repairs.

Quality Control: Our quality control experts check each and every part that was repaired to make sure that all work was completed properly before you pick up your vehicle. In addition, most vehicles are road tested. We have a complete checklist that is part of our process before delivery that includes instrumentation, locks, windows, and other items. If something that does not work is found and it is not related to the damage from your accident, we will make sure that you are informed.

Customer Contact: You are welcome to contact us anytime while we are working on your vehicle to find out about the status of the repairs. We make every effort to have your car ready on time, but additional damage, revised estimates, parts delivery and insurance response time are sometimes out of our control.

The brothers and folks at TACs provide service and attention that earns them the loyalty of every customer. Almost anybody and repair shop can fix cars but these TACs folks care about their business, their reputation and their customers. Terrific place to go to when car troubles take over your life.

Chuck Naylor, Customer

The guys at TACS are real! They’re all super sweet, honest and just awesome people! If you’re looking for an excellent experience without any hassles this is the place for you. They did great work on my brands new vehicle and I’m happy to say I’ll be telling everyone about it.

Colleen Hasselback, Customer

This business does not just deal with cars… it deals with people. Not only does my car get fixed when I bring it there, but I get treated with respect and kindness. The prices are fair, the work they do is great, and the way they accommodate their customers is a breath of fresh air. Bring your car to TACS.

Paddy MeBoy, Customer

Not your average body/mechanic shop. These guys at TACS are honest and care about their customers. I was told from dealership that I needed all new brakes – easy sale…but they confirmed I only needed front pads. I won’t go anywhere else. I’m bringing all of my car needs to TACS – and spreading the word to friends in town. Even out of town. Very trustworthy, family business.

Emily Martin, Customer

Friendly and quick, yet incredibly thorough. I live in Clifton Park and refuse to bring my cars anywhere else. It’s my only recommendation for all of my friends who need assistance with their cars.

Alyssa Cukerstein, Customer

This is one of the best places to bring your car in the Capital District. I have been a loyal customer of theirs for a few years at this point. I came to them because I needed some body work done on my car and not only were they a pleasure to deal with, the repair was done perfectly and on time. It was easy to work with them and my insurance company. I was more than thrilled when they started to expand their business to take mechanical work as well. I brought my next car purchase to them to have them look over it before making a decision to purchase and have brought it to them for everything from oil changes, to more complex issues. The nice thing is, they are not out to get your money like most places, only once have they advised me to take my vehicle somewhere else because they did think it was in their wheelhouse (issue with transmission that was handled by the dealership). They are truly an A+ company!

Thomas Nolan, Customer

Unbelievable service. The guys at TACs are always so helpful. I pulled in 15 minutes before closing and they serviced my car right then and there. They take the time to explain everything – such as the difference between synthetic and regular motor oil and why I should be using the less expensive product for my car (based on mileage and other factors). They’ve won a lifetime customer through integrity and good intentions.

Todd Porter, Customer

Great people there. Honest. I have actually gone there more for advice or to help me with little things since I like to fix my car myself as much as I can and they have helped me in their parking lot and never charge me. If I ever did get in an accident that I couldn’t fix I would go to them for sure.

Shay McGlynn, Customer

My experiences at TACS have been great. My parents used to go to a different body shop when I was growing up… once I started going to TACS my whole family followed suit and we have all been beyond satisfied with the service. If you go into the waiting room at TACS you won’t find a single frown. The owners and employees treat everyone with so much respect and professionalism that it fills the shop with positivity. If you take your car TACS, you will find yourself smiling, too.

Patrick Farley, Customer