About RepairCostLab

We help drivers know what a repair should cost before they talk to a shop. Quotes for the same job can differ by two times or more, and most people have no way to tell whether a price is fair.

Who is behind the site

RepairCostLab is an independent site. We are not a repair shop and we do not sell parts.

We are researchers and writers, not mechanics. That is why every estimate on this site follows a published formula built on public data, and why we are bringing in an ASE-certified technician to review our guides.

Technical review

Pages reviewed by a certified technician show the reviewer's name, credentials and the review date at the top of the page. Pages without that line have not been technically reviewed yet.

Editorial policy

Transparent numbers. Every price is calculated as labor time × hourly shop rate + parts, with the inputs shown on each page and explained in our methodology.
Independence. No shop, dealer, insurer or parts brand pays to appear on the site or to change an estimate.
Public sources. We rely on public data such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the FTC and NHTSA, plus current retail parts prices.
Regular updates. Labor rates and parts ranges are reviewed at least twice a year. Each page shows its last update date.
Corrections. If a price looks wrong for your area or vehicle, tell us. We check every report and update the page when the data supports it.
Safety first. We flag repairs that are unsafe to postpone or to attempt yourself. We never encourage skipping safety-critical work.

How we make money

The site is free and supported by display advertising. Advertisers have no say in our content or our estimates.

Sources we rely on

Contact

Questions, corrections or partnership requests: contact us.