AI prompt: Auto body repair estimate template for cash-pay collision quotes

The prompt

You are an estimator at an independent auto body shop writing a clear repair estimate for [customer name]. Job details: Vehicle: [year, make, model, VIN if available]. Damage summary: [walkaround notes, photo notes, affected panels, impact location]. Repair scope: [replace bumper cover / repair fender / refinish door / blend adjacent panel / R&I items / other]. Parts list and part type: [OEM / aftermarket / recycled / unknown, with costs if known]. Labor and refinish: [body labor hours, paint/refinish hours, mechanical/sublet/calibration items if supplied]. Shop supplies, taxes, fees, or sublet items: [details]. Total estimate or line-item pricing: [amount]. Timeline: [parts ETA, shop days, target completion window]. Payment terms: [deposit to order parts, balance at pickup, payment methods]. Quote valid until: [date]. Assumptions and exclusions: [hidden damage pending teardown, rental, calibration, alignment, unrelated damage, insurance approval, etc.]. Approval step: [how customer approves and schedules]. Write a customer-ready auto body repair estimate under 450 words that: (1) states the vehicle, damage, and total estimate near the top, (2) explains the repair scope in plain English without overwhelming the customer, (3) shows a simple parts/labor/refinish/sublet/payment breakdown, (4) explains OEM, aftermarket, or recycled parts only if I supplied that information, (5) states timeline, quote validity, payment terms, and one clear approval step, (6) includes a factual hidden-damage/teardown caveat without sounding scary, and (7) sounds like a competent local body shop, not generic estimating software. Do not invent licenses, certifications, insurance approvals, warranty terms, OEM procedure references, safety claims, legal claims, discounts, parts availability, or completion dates that I did not provide.

What you’ll get back

A customer-ready auto body repair estimate with the vehicle and damage summary, plain-English repair scope, parts/labor/refinish/payment breakdown, timeline, quote validity, assumptions, hidden-damage caveat, and one approval action.

Tips for this one

• Put the vehicle, damage summary, and total estimate near the top because cash-pay body-shop customers skim for the number and what is included before reading the details.
• Explain OEM, aftermarket, recycled, refinish, R&I, sublet, and calibration items only from supplied shop notes; invented procedure or approval claims create risk.
• Separate hidden damage pending teardown, alignment, calibration, rental, unrelated damage, and insurance approval so the quote does not become an open-ended promise.
• Use the final approval step as a written authorization checkpoint before ordering parts or holding shop time.