There is no reliable one-price answer from dent diameter alone.
Two dents that look similar from the front can require very different repairs. One may have open access behind the panel. The other may sit on a reinforced body line, near an edge, or behind trim that needs to be removed.
Sean looks at the complete repair, not just the visible low spot. A photo estimate is the fastest way to get a useful starting point without guessing from a generic price chart.
What changes a PDR estimate?
- Dent depth, diameter, sharpness, and stretched metal
- Whether the damage crosses a body line or sits near a panel edge
- Paint condition, previous repairs, and cracked or chipped finish
- Steel, aluminum, and the amount of safe access behind the panel
- Trim, liners, braces, or interior pieces that affect access
- For hail, the number of dents and how many panels are affected
Why photos help, and when they are not enough
Send one wide photo that identifies the panel, then several close angles with light reflecting across the dent. Photos often let Sean give a useful first answer. Deep dents, hail patterns, previous paintwork, or difficult access may still require an in-person inspection before the estimate is final.
Paintless dent repair cost questions
Can Sean quote a dent from one close-up photo?
A close-up helps, but a full-panel photo and several reflected-light angles are more useful. Vehicle year, make, and model also help identify panel material and access.
Is PDR usually less involved than body-shop repair?
When PDR fits, it avoids sanding, filler, primer, and repainting. The final cost still depends on the actual dent and the work needed to reach it.
Does hail damage use the same estimate process?
Hail requires a panel-by-panel assessment because the number, depth, and location of dents affect the repair plan. Photos can start the conversation, but a full inspection may be needed.
