Central Massachusetts Body Shops Offer Wide Range of Good Services

In this part of Central Massachusetts, there are many body shops to choose from. Shopping for an auto body shop after an accident can be as frustrating as finding a car in the first place. You ask:

Which is the right one?
Which has the best reputation?
Which uses genuine parts?
Which takes short cuts?

We have chosen five or six that we know of that do everything right and, while they may not be the least expensive on the block, they do good work. (Before we start, be aware that although your car may be towed to a body shop after an accident and it may be viewed there by the adjuster, you don't have to have the work done there, you can take it to the shop you feel most comfortable with.)

While living in this area we have had experience, directly or indirectly with six body shops that deliver good work and while this list in no way grades them as to who is the best and who is second best, it's just who we are thinking about at the moment before we move to the next. All the shops noted here are good body shops that provide quality service and use the parts you order.

(Remember, too, that although an adjuster may be the final figure on your accident on a list of standard factory parts - this information has been gathered from material that we have in our files following a couple of major accidents in the last 10 years - aftermarket parts are available that are every bit as reliable as those supplied by the automaker and you may be able to save some money.)

The Boston Body Shop

Part of the Bernardi Auto Group, this body shop features top quality work and uses primarily factory parts so they do tend to be more expensive. The upside of this is that you have the manufacturer of the part and manufacturer - although they handle all makes and models, their primary clients are upscale vehicles such as Acuras - and the body shop backing you all the way, if there's a problem.

The Boston Body Shop provides:

Frame restoration services - you can pull a frame straight if you know what you are doing.

Factory-trained and certified technicians.

Full service from welding to mechanical services.

Written estimates.

Testimonials from satisfied customers and there are many.

Note: They do tend to be somewhat expensive, but their repairs are very good.

While this strictly isn't part of Central Massachusetts, this shop is owned by the Bernardi Auto Group, located in Framingham, Mass., about 20 miles west of Boston. We worked for this auto group for some years and know of this shop's work.

Kim's Auto Body

Located about 20 miles west of Boston in Framingham, Mass., actually along the route of the Boston Marathon, Kim's Auto Body is a full-service shop. They provide:

Towing services.

Estimate services.

Full shop services and repairs.

Factory or aftermarket parts.

Certified technicians.

Quality paint work (there's nothing worse than a good body job and poor quality paint work with wavy or runny paint and dust in it).

Frame restoration services.

Reasonable costs - they try to save you money - and they back their work.
We used Kim's after a major accident involving a van about a decade ago and their service and facilities have been improved since so they are better now than they were then when they were good.

Exceptional Auto Body

Another body shop that is located in Framingham, Mass., Exceptional is the new kid on the block, or at least the name is new. Their owners have been in the auto body business for some years. As with the others mentioned here, Exceptional provides:

Towing services

Full estimate services

Factory or aftermarket parts

Quality paint work

Reasonable costs

Spot-welding services, if needed

Exceptional has limited interior space so many of the vehicles it is working on do sit in the yard once they have arrived and await work orders. Once the work order has issued, they are fast and thorough, according to various people who have used their service.

Herb Connolly Auto Body

Run by the Connolly Auto Group, this is one of this area's major factory-backed repair shops. It services the needs of the Connolly Group of auto stores which includes Connolly Chevrolet, Connolly Acura and Connolly Hyundai, as well as the general public. Connolly provides:

Full estimates

Factory parts

Loaners

Full frame repair facilities (they have a straightening and stretching machine)

Full welding services

A separate paint shop

Factory paints

Factory warranty on all parts

Connolly is not the least expensive body shop in this area, but it is one of the better ones. We used their services; have worked their, and continue to be customers.

Framingham Ford

Run by the Chase family, Framingham Ford/Lincoln-Mercury's auto shop services the needs of the dealership primarily, however, they do handle customer cars. For their customers, they provide:

Full service

Factory parts

Factory warranty

Full frame facilities

Separate paint shop

As noted, this is primarily a dealer-oriented body shop, but they will deal with customers to the dealership if their car or truck is towed in to the shop. We know of their work professionally as we worked at this dealership.

Irving Street Garage

Formerly known as Tofani's, Mike Tofani, the owner and principal and his wife, run a very nice operation in the south side of Framingham, Mass. At Tofani's they provide:

Full towing services

Full estimate services

Frame facilities

Spot-welding, if needed

Factory or aftermarket parts - they will work with you to provide the most cost-effective solution

Separate paint facilities and high quality paint work

Speedy service

Keeping the service at or under the insurance estimate

Full records of all parts replaced

The Irving Street Garage isn't the largest shop in Central Massachusetts, but it does very good work. We have used them both professionally and personally.

Boch Body Shop

Although not technically in Central Massachusetts, this full-service auto body shop has:

The latest in auto body repair equipment

Full welding and paint facilities

Factory-trained and certified technicians

An owner who does stand behind the work of his shop, even in his advertising

A long history in the car business as this shop was opened by the father of the present owner nearly half-a-century ago

The source of this information is primarily advertising provided by the dealership, as well as the fact that the dealer/owner is willing to get on TV to show that he provides full support. Any dealer who is willing to do that stands behind the work his people do.

That pretty much rounds out our list of top body shops in this area. Always remember a couple of things when you go in for work:

Be sure to get multiple estimates if you can

Be sure to check the quality and reputation of the shop where you intend to have the work done.

We know and recommend the shops we have provided information about. If you want information about other shops in this area, you can make a comment and we will try to get it for you.