Two shops can look at the same scraped bumper and quote you $400 and $2,200. Neither is necessarily wrong. Bumper work spans an enormous range because a modern bumper is not a bumper — it is a painted plastic cover over a structural beam, often with radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors mounted behind it.
Here is what the work actually costs, tier by tier.
The cost ladder
| Work | Time in shop | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Light scuff, paint touch-up only | 1 day | $150 – $500 |
| Scuff with full panel refinish | 1–2 days | $300 – $900 |
| Plastic repair (dent or gouge) plus repaint | 2–3 days | $450 – $1,400 |
| Cover replacement, reusing sensors | 3–5 days | $800 – $2,500 |
| Reinforcement bar or absorber (add-on) | +1–2 days | +$250 – $900 |
| ADAS calibration (add-on) | included above | +$250 – $1,200 |
| Luxury or specialty, full replacement | 5–10+ days | $2,000 – $5,000+ |
Ranges reflect 2026 US pricing. Your quote depends on the vehicle, the damage, parts availability and local labor rates — which run from roughly $47 to $215 an hour depending on market and facility type.
The line item most people miss: calibration
If your bumper houses parking sensors, a forward-collision radar, or a camera, those systems generally need recalibrating after the cover comes off and goes back on. That is not optional and it is not cheap:
- Forward collision / adaptive cruise radar: $300–$600 to calibrate, $300–$900+ to replace
- Backup or surround-view camera: $200–$400 to calibrate, $150–$400 to replace
- Ultrasonic parking sensors: $50–$150 each to replace
- Full multi-sensor calibration package: $400–$1,200+
Not every estimate includes it. This is the single most common reason a final invoice lands well above the number you were quoted. Ask explicitly whether calibration is in the estimate before you authorize the work.
Repair or replace?
For dents and gouges in sound plastic, repair is usually cheaper — roughly $450–$1,000 against $800–$2,500+ to replace. Repair stops being the right answer when:
- The plastic is cracked through or has missing sections
- Sensor or camera mounting points are damaged, since fit tolerance affects calibration
- The reinforcement bar behind the cover is bent — a structural safety item that cannot be hammered back to spec
Ask the shop for a repairability assessment: an honest comparison of repair hours against replacement cost. Sometimes a $350 repair beats a $900 cover, and sometimes it is the reverse.
Repair bill higher than the car is worth?
If the estimate is climbing toward what the vehicle is worth, it may be worth seeing what a replacement costs before you commit to the repair.
See vehicle pricingWhy paint drives so much of the number
Colour is a bigger cost lever than most people expect, because matching is labour, not material:
- Solid single-stage (white, black, red): $200–$500 to refinish a bumper
- Two-stage metallic or pearl: $300–$700, needing base plus clear and careful blending
- Three-stage tri-coat: the hardest to match, and priced accordingly
Each adjacent panel that has to be blended so the repair is invisible adds roughly $150–$400. Blending both front quarters can add $600–$800 on its own.
What it runs by vehicle type
| Vehicle class | Notes | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / economy car | Parts widely available, moderate labour | $400 – $1,500 |
| Mid-size sedan | Sensor packages raise calibration exposure | $700 – $2,500 |
| Truck / large SUV | Tow package integration adds disassembly time | $900 – $2,800 |
| Luxury / European | Higher OEM parts, complex finishes | $1,500 – $5,500+ |
Three ways to bring the number down
- Ask about quality used OEM. A reconditioned factory cover can save $200–$600 against new OEM while keeping factory fit, which aftermarket does not always match.
- Get the repairability assessment in writing. Repair hours versus replacement cost, compared honestly.
- Confirm what calibration is included before work starts, not after. It is the line item most likely to appear as a supplement.
Sources
- Brea Auto Body, Bumper Repair Cost 2026 Guide: Real Prices, Parts, ADAS — tier table, calibration and sensor pricing, per-class ranges
- ERP SoCal, How Much Does Car Bumper Repair & Replacement Cost? 2026 Guide — repair vs replacement ranges and labour rates
Figures verified 3 September 2026. Costs change; always get a written estimate from a licensed shop before authorizing work.