Reading and Using Labor Time Guides

What Is a Labor Time Guide?

A labor time guide is a database of standardized times, expressed in hours and tenths of an hour, that represent how long a skilled technician should take to perform a specific repair operation on a specific vehicle. The two most widely used estimating systems in U.S. collision shops are CCC ONE and Mitchell. Both pull labor times from databases built by professional estimators who physically test operations on production vehicles under controlled conditions. These times are the foundation of every repair estimate you write.

Understanding how to read and apply these times accurately is a core skill tested on the ASE B-series exams and is central to I-CAR ProLevel role training for estimators and repair planners.

The Three Core Operation Types

R&I — Remove and Install

R&I means you remove a part from the vehicle, set it aside, perform work elsewhere (such as painting a panel or repairing a structural component behind it), and then reinstall the same part. The part is not damaged and is reused. Example: removing a door to access a rocker panel, then reinstalling the original door after the rocker is repaired.

R&R — Remove and Replace

R&R means you remove the damaged part and install a new (or quality recycled) part in its place. The database R&R time covers removal of the old part and installation of the replacement. It does not include refinishing (painting) unless the database notes state otherwise.

Repair Time

Repair time is the labor allowed to restore a damaged part to its original condition without replacing it — for example, straightening a dented quarter panel. The database may list this as a range or as a fixed time. Repair times are influenced heavily by damage severity, which is why estimates require a physical inspection; the database value is a starting reference.

Structure of the Estimating Database

When you open CCC ONE or Mitchell and select a vehicle by year, make, model, body style, and trim level, the system loads that vehicle's specific labor times. Never skip the trim level step — a base model and a luxury trim of the same nameplate can have different panel configurations and different times.

Once you select a component, the database displays:

• Labor time in tenths of an hour (e.g., 2.5 hours)
• Included operations — tasks already counted inside that time
• Not-included (also called "not included") operations — tasks you must add separately

Always read the included/not-included notes before you accept a time. Failing to do so leads to under-estimates or over-charges, both of which cause problems — for the shop's profitability and for the customer's trust.

Included and Not-Included Operations: Examples

A front bumper cover R&R time typically includes removal of fasteners, transfer of brackets and sensors already on the old cover, and installation of the new cover. It typically does not include refinishing, headlamp removal if required for access, or recalibration of parking sensors and cameras. Those are separate line items.

A hood R&R time usually includes disconnecting and reconnecting hood supports and hinges, and aligning the hood to adjacent panels. It typically does not include replacing the hood latch, refinishing, or undercoating the inner surface.

A windshield R&R time in the database typically includes removing the old glass, cleaning the pinchweld, applying primer and urethane adhesive, and installing the new glass. It typically does not include recalibration of forward-facing cameras (ADAS) mounted behind the glass — a growing and important not-included item on modern vehicles.

Overlap Deductions

When two operations share a common step, the database may require an overlap deduction so you do not charge twice for the same labor. A common example is blend time: if you are painting a front door and also painting the front fender, part of the masking and booth time overlaps. The estimating system may automatically calculate a reduced blend time for the adjacent panel, or the estimator must apply a manual deduction following the system's guidelines.

Similarly, corrosion protection applied inside a replaced quarter panel may overlap with seam sealer operations already included in the R&R time. Always check the system's overlap notes and your shop's estimating guidelines before adding or removing these lines.

Accuracy and Professional Responsibility

Labor times in the database are averages for a reasonably skilled technician working under normal conditions. They are not maximums or minimums. If damage is more severe than what a standard repair covers, the estimator documents the reason and adds a supplement. If a part is accessed during another operation, the R&I time may be reduced or waived — the database notes will indicate this.

Accuracy protects everyone. An estimate that is too low creates a dispute at delivery. An estimate that is too high is unfair to the customer or insurer. Read every included/not-included note. Verify the vehicle selection before you accept any time.

Workstation Safety Note

Estimating workstations are shared equipment. Log out of the estimating software when you leave the station to protect client data and shop license credentials. Never save fictitious estimates under real VINs — this corrupts shop records and can violate software license agreements.