G`day SRT Metro and Ozbrum, thanks for the welcome.
Ozbrum, We do not normally do outside work, but i will attempt some figures for you.
It normally takes Andy ( our panel/paint man ) one full week to repair the average hail damaged car. So in terms of our cost - allow one weeks labour, plus about $275 per car in materials, plus $250 rent and outgoings on the premises and the total cost to ourselves would be around $1,725 per car. Of couse if it was for somebody else there needs to be some profit. Probably a grand, therefore to do it for somebody outside it would cost a minimum of $2,750 - $3,000. Any panels, glass etc that needed replacing would be extra. We replace the bonnets on our cars instead of trying to repair them. Cheap way to get a respray really, and with decent quality paint as well.
I spent 3 months in Perth a few years back. Girl i worked with suggested that Perth is not isolated from the rest of Australia - It is insulated from it. Smart girl!!
Rocket.