Frederick (Dusty) Harter
Traverse City,MI
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Collision Estimator
Serra Traverse city
Traverse City, Michigan
03.2020 - Current
- Prepare detailed reports outlining the estimated labor hours required for repairs.
- Deliver top-notch customer service by answering questions and quickly responding to phone inquiries, resulting in increase in repeat business.
- Develop relationships with local body shops and other suppliers in order to secure competitive rates.
- Determine project scope, boundaries, time frame and possible complications to produce accurate estimates.
- Compile data from various sources such as customer information, work orders, photographs, into an estimate form or database system.
- Verify accuracy of parts pricing from suppliers and vendors.
- Document findings in a written report with photos to be used for insurance claims.
- Negotiate repair costs with insurance companies.
- Review automotive blueprints, diagrams, and manuals as necessary to complete estimates accurately.
- Collect data and information from vendors, sub-contractors and teammates to determine exact costs for all aspects of each project.
- Attend training sessions related to auto collision repair techniques and estimating software programs.
- Advise customers on the best course of action based on their budget constraints.
- Assist customers in understanding their insurance coverage options.
- Communicate effectively with customers both verbally and in writing.
- Ensure that all safety protocols were followed while inspecting vehicles.
- Calculate cost estimates for repair or replacement of vehicle parts.
- Schedule appointments for vehicle inspection at the shop or dealership facility.
- Inspect damaged vehicles to determine extent of structural, body and mechanical damage.
- Perform administrative tasks such as filing paperwork, preparing documents, as needed.
- Maintain accurate records of all completed estimates and invoices.
- Advise customers of repair plans, discussing payment options to finalize work orders.
- Review factual information to determine costs to repair applicable damages.
- Conduct final quality control check of vehicles prior to customer delivery.
- Provide customer service by responding to inquiries regarding repairs and estimates.
- Maintain confidentiality of client and prospective client information, protecting individual interests and business partnerships.
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost and labor estimates.
Collision Estimator
Fox Motors
Traverse City, Michigan
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Adhered to DRP insurance procedures and rates applicable to estimates.
- Documented findings in a written report with photos to be used for insurance claims.
- Negotiated repair costs with insurance companies.
- Reviewed automotive blueprints, diagrams, and manuals as necessary to complete estimates accurately.
- Attended training sessions related to auto collision repair techniques and estimating software programs.
- Advised customers on the best course of action based on their budget constraints.
- Communicated effectively with customers both verbally and in writing.
- Prepared estimates to use in vendor or subcontractor selection.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed while inspecting vehicles.
- Calculated cost estimates for repair or replacement of vehicle parts.
- Scheduled appointments for vehicle inspection at the shop or dealership facility.
- Inspected damaged vehicles to determine extent of structural, body and mechanical damage.
- Performed administrative tasks such as filing paperwork, preparing documents, as needed.
- Maintained accurate records of all completed estimates and invoices.
- Advised customers of repair plans, discussing payment options to finalize work orders.
- Reviewed factual information to determine costs to repair applicable damages.
- Conducted final quality control check of vehicles prior to customer delivery.
- Provided customer service by responding to inquiries regarding repairs and estimates.
- Maintained confidentiality of client and prospective client information, protecting individual interests and business partnerships.
- Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
Auto Body Painter Apprentice
Fox Motors
Traverse City, Michigan
05.2015 - 08.2018
- Used power and hand tools safely and effectively.
- Cleaned and maintained painting tools and equipment.
- Assisted in preparing surfaces for painting, including sanding and patching holes.
- Polished finished product to remove imperfections and prepare for delivery.
- Inspected completed work for quality assurance.
- Performed minor repairs on body panels as needed prior to painting process.
- Communicated with supervisors regarding job progress updates or any issues encountered while performing tasks.
- Sanded, prepared and prepped vehicles for painting process.
- Ensured that all tools were properly stored after use in order to maintain a safe working environment.
- Masked off areas of vehicles that were not intended to be painted.
- Used sandpaper and other abrasive materials to smooth out surface imperfections prior to painting process.
Automotive Reconditioning Specialist
Williams Chevrolet
Traverse City, Michigan
11.2011 - 05.2015
- Coordinated with other departments to ensure efficient workflow processes.
- Operated air compressors for blowing dust out of cracks and crevices in dashboards or consoles.
- Used different types of cleaners to remove grease stains from engine compartments or wheels.
- Sanitized interiors using germicidal wipes or sprays that are safe for use in automobiles.
- Checked for any damages to the vehicle's exterior or interior before beginning work.
- Utilized special-purpose cleaners to foster lasting cleanliness of vehicles.
- Polished vehicle exteriors to remove scratches and swirl marks, restoring shine.
- Polished chrome trim on vehicles with a cloth wheel buffer or electric polisher and buffer machine.
- Vacuumed vehicle interiors to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Conducted thorough interior and exterior cleaning and detailing of vehicles to enhance appearance.
- Inspected vehicles thoroughly before and after detailing to ensure quality of work.
- Cleaned upholstery, rugs and other surfaces with cleaning agents to remove dirt and debris.
- Washed wide range of vehicles each day.
- Applied waxes and polishes to the vehicle's body to protect its paint finish.
- Replaced worn parts such as floor mats, seat covers, door panels or window seals when necessary.
Education
High School Diploma -
Northport Public School
Northport, MI05-2006
Skills
- Damage documentation
- Damage assessment
- Estimating techniques
- Vehicle inspection
- Cost estimation
- Insurance procedures
- Auto body repair
- Buffing and polishing
- Collision repair
- Painting procedures
- Refinishing
- Automotive detailing
- Exterior waxing
- Automotive quality control
- Exterior detailing expertise
- Polish application mastery
- Waxing and sealing
- Interior detailing proficiency
Certification
Experience in both CCC and Mitchell Estimate software.
Accomplishments
- I had the honor of restoring a 1968 Cheverolet Camaro with my father over the course of 4 and a half years.
Affiliations
- Hiking
- Camping
- Overlanding
- Exploring
Timeline
Collision Estimator
Serra Traverse city
03.2020 - Current
Collision Estimator
Fox Motors
08.2018 - 03.2020
Auto Body Painter Apprentice
Fox Motors
05.2015 - 08.2018
Automotive Reconditioning Specialist
Williams Chevrolet
11.2011 - 05.2015
High School Diploma -
Northport Public School