Every car owner knows that car maintenance is necessary if they want to have a roadworthy vehicle. Some might not like taking in their car for maintenance work, but it is still something that needs to be done. Repairs, however, are completely different. The longer you wait to repair your car, the more damaged and dangerous it becomes. A simple chip that is easy to take care of with a quick windshield repair can become a crack that requires a much more difficult and expensive fix.

The price is an important factor when it comes to car repairs. The average car repair bill in the United States is between $500 and $600. However, a whole third of car owners have to go into debt to be able to afford a car repair. Here are a couple of tips on how to get the best price for a repair, and how to make car repairs a less stressful experience.

Compare the Costs

When the car’s damage is more than just aesthetical, your best course of action is to repair the damage as soon as possible. If you are not completely certain you can repair the car on your own, you will have to visit a mechanic.

One of the worst things you can do is to take the car to the first mechanic you come across. You want to shop around as much as you can to find out what is the average cost of the repair your car needs. Ask for written quotes. You will see that they vary from one mechanic to another. If you are repairing your car in a state different from your own, don’t be surprised to find out that the price of the repair is different than what you are used to. Some states are more expensive for car repairs than others.

Deal with Your Expectations

There are three things you need from a car repair. It needs to be quick, it needs to be good, and it needs to be cheap. However, you should not expect to get all three together. Your repair might be quick and good, but it will cost you. Or, it can be quick and cheap, but you should not expect quality workmanship.

Depending on your circumstances and the type of damage that needs to be repaired, decide where you want to compromise. You have swiftness, quality, and affordability to choose from — pick one to be a priority, and choose a mechanic who can deliver what you need.

Be a Good Owner and a Good Customer

It is your responsibility to ensure that your car is repaired so that it is not a danger to you or anyone else on the road. If you want to be a responsible car owner, you need to communicate with your car mechanic in an effective manner. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can ask about references, business history, the warranty they offer, even the insurance on their shop. You need to make sure your car is in good hands.

But you also need to be a responsible customer. Dropping off a car that is dirty or cluttered is one of the don’ts when dealing with car mechanics. It is rude, it can make the mechanic’s job unnecessarily harder, and it can affect the outcome of the repair. You should also avoid hovering over the mechanic while they are doing their job. Just leave them to do what you are paying them to do and make sure you are available in case they want to get in touch with you.

Experienced car owners know how important it is to have the right mechanic on the job when dealing with car repairs. A bad choice can make the negligible damage worse. A good choice can make the most difficult repairs go without a hitch. So make sure you find a service that fits your car, its needs, and your budget.