The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Collision Division Operations Committee is continuing its study on time requirements to properly handle repairs, including ASA’s current feather, fill and block time study.
“The issue of proper compensation for feather, fill and block continues to hamper the efficiencies of the repair shop and strain the relationship between the repairer and the insurer,” said Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA Collision Division director and president of Lehman’s Garage, Bloomington, Minn. “The goal is to have an automated process to compensate for the overlooked steps necessary to complete a quality repair. This could be based on the area of the repair involving feather, fill and block or a percentage of the straightening time, similar to the concept of paint and material calculations.”
ASA’s previous study was conducted in 2005 and included more than 100 records. To continue to explore this topic, strengthen the necessity of compensation for work performed and bring feather, fill and block back into the forefront of the industry, ASA is asking its collision members to become involved in a nationwide effort to systematically gather this data.
“Participation is critical to this project; yet, the effort is simple and systematic. It requires photographs and completing an official feather, fill and block form for each vehicle report submitted for the project,” said Denise Caspersen, ASA’s Collision Division manager. “ASA’s Estimating Subcommittee and members of its operations committee are encouraging each ASA member willing to participate to complete 10 time studies. Through their participation and the sharing of information, perhaps the feather, fill and
block issue can be resolved.”
To participate, ASA members may download the project kit (a three-page Adobe Acrobat PDF) in the Members Only section of the ASA Web site. The kit includes the following items:
• The 2010 Feather, Fill and Block Project sheet, which explains the project and the process.
• The 2010 Feather, Fill and Block Project time study form, which is used to collect the data for each time study.
• The 2010 Feather, Fill and Block Time Study example form, which provides a sample of a completed time study.
Photographs and documentation submitted for the study should be sent to [email protected]. Forms may be submitted through Aug. 31, 2010.
More information:
• Direct any questions to Denise Caspersen at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236, or [email protected]
