Maaco Review [Is It Good? Why Is It Cheap?] • Road Sumo

Hide your car’s flaws and make it look better with a high-quality paint job! It will elevate aesthetics while also prolonging the functional life of your car’s exterior. The benefits, however, will depend on the quality of the paint. With a plethora of choices, one worth considering is Maaco.

Maaco is a well-loved company for car paint services because of its affordability. The Basic Package is as low as $300. Overall, the paint job is good, but do not expect top-notch quality. It is cheap because they use only a single layer of paint. They also do not disassemble and paint each part individually.

There is a quick turnaround and high volume, which allows them to paint more cars at a given time, and in turn, they can offer affordable services without compromising quality.

Read on to learn more in this Maaco review, including why it is affordable, and see if it is worth trying.

Maaco Review – Exploring the Pros and Cons

Depending on where you live, you can have a long list of options for service providers that can give your car the paint job that it deserves. In this review, however, our focus is on Maaco.

To help you decide if it is a good choice or if you should look for another option, let’s have a look at the pros and cons:

The Good

Are you looking for compelling reasons to go to Maaco if you need a paint job? Here are some of the benefits that can convince you:

1. Has an Extensive Experience

One of the best reasons to go to Maaco when you need a paint job is its extensive experience in the business. It has been operating for over five decades.

To be in the industry for such a long time is enough proof that its clientele has trusted it. The company is also known for having knowledgeable people, so you can be confident of the job quality that they can deliver.

2. They Provide a Free Estimate of the Paint Job

Clueless about how much the paint job will cost? You do not have to be left guessing. Bring your car to one of Maaco’s stores, and their staff will give a free assessment.

You are under no obligation to choose them if you find the price unreasonable. Feel free to ask around and look for other alternatives that you feel are more suitable for your budget.

3. Get an Estimate Online

Speaking of getting an estimate, many are also happy that you can do so online. It is convenient since it can save you a trip to one of their stores.

Go to their website, answer a few questions, and receive a preliminary estimate. Nonetheless, take note that the estimate can change depending on the result of the assessment of their employees.

4. Choose from Its Many Locations

You will find over 400 independent franchises of Maaco in the United States and Canada. If you live in a major city, you will find one in your place. Best of all, there is no sign that the company is slowing down anytime soon. We can expect to see more Maaco franchises in the coming years.

5. Reasonable Prices

Price is one of the biggest selling points of Maaco, especially considering the rates of many of its competitors and the quality of the job that you can expect.

The average Maaco paint job cost is $300 to $500. However, this will depend on the size of the area they need to paint and your specific location.

6. Offers Best Price Guarantee

At Maaco, you are always sure that you are getting the best prices. If you found a lower price anywhere else, let Maaco know.

Show them the competitor’s estimate, and they will offer a better deal. The quote should be in written form, and the location of the competitor should be within 50 miles of a Maaco center.

7. Exceptional Warranty Coverage

Maaco offers an exceptional warranty on all its services, including a paint job. The specific warranty coverage can depend on many factors, so read the terms and conditions.

From cracks to peels, they warrant that their paint services are free from problems within a specific period, which should provide you with peace of mind.

8. Quick Service

It will take approximately two to three days before your car is ready after the company paints its body. According to most people, this is quite fast.

Nonetheless, the waiting time can extend to five days, especially if it is a big car and if the job requires more attention to detail. The additional days should not matter as it means better overall quality.

9. A Wide Range of Services

In this review, we focus on the Maaco paint job. However, a good thing about the company is that it offers other services that you might find handy.

For instance, they offer easy and affordable collision repair. They can process insurance claims, making their service convenient. Maaco also has fleet services for different industries, including hotels and airlines.

10. Different Packages are Available

Aside from having various services, Maaco is also an excellent option because multiple packages are available. The most basic is the cheapest, which will cost $300 to $500.

You can also avail of the Preferred and Premium services, which are more expensive, but you can expect better results since they are more detailed.

The Bad

In the spirit of fairness, this review will also talk about some of the shortcomings that you should know to help you make a well-informed decision:

1. May Not Match Original Car Paint

According to Maaco, it is using its brand of paint. Such should not be a problem if you are repainting the entire car since you can achieve a uniform look.

However, if you will be painting only a specific portion, the paint may not match the rest of the car, resulting in inconsistencies in the final look.

2. Sanding May Not Be Properly Done

Sanding is a part of the painting job that Maaco will deliver. However, as some of its customers have shared, cheaper packages often come with poor sanding jobs.

You can enjoy the best sanding; you should avail of their premium or platinum package, which, as the name implies, will come at an additional cost.

3. Paint Does Not Last Long

Car paint jobs can last ten years or more, depending on their quality. However, with Maaco, we do not expect the lifespan to be as long. The price alone should already give you a clue that it will not last many years.

It may peel or crack after a few years, especially if your car is often exposed to damaging external elements. The good news is that since Maaco has low prices, you can have it repainted without too much financial strain.

4. Quality Can Vary Across Locations

Some people also note that Maaco may deliver inconsistent results depending on their shop location. It is a franchise, so different store owners operate under one parent brand. Do not be surprised if the quality is better in one location than in another.

5. Single Stage Paint Application

In the case of more expensive paint jobs, the different parts will be disassembled and painted individually. This will ensure better attention to detail for better outcomes. However, Maaco is different, so the process is streamlined. They will tape off the rims and paint the car in one piece.

How to Find Paint Code by VIN for Different Car Brands

What Is Maaco?

Established in 1972

Maaco prides itself on being a success story in the car care industry. Established in 1972, the company’s first store was opened in Wilmington, Delaware.

The brainchild of Tony Martino slowly climbed its way to the top, and by the year 2000, it had already painted more than 10 million cars, a feat that has cemented its reputation.

Maaco Became Part of Driven Brands in 2008

To expand its business footprint, Maaco became a part of Driven Brands in 2008. In turn, Driven Brands was acquired by Roark Capital in 2015. Maaco has painted over 20 million cars, which further solidified its position in the industry.

A Leader in the $325-billion Automotive Aftercare Market

Today, Maaco is a leader in the $325-billion automotive aftercare market. Dubbed America’s favorite body shop, Maaco has more than 400 independent franchises in the United States and Canada. So, if you need a paint job, Maaco is one of the first names you might want to consider.

Again, is it worth getting a Maaco paint job? Getting a paint job from Maaco is affordable. For $300, you will get a decent paint job from Maaco.

How Much Does Maaco Paint Cost?

To make this Maaco paint review more informative, let’s talk about numbers. Undoubtedly, many people will consider the price when weighing the alternatives on where to get a paint job done.

On average, the cost of a Maaco paint job will range from $300 to $500. You can bring your car to one of their stores, talk to a specialist, and receive a free estimate on how much the job will cost.

It is also possible that you get an estimate online, which many people will value because of its convenience.

Different factors can impact the final quoted price, including the following:

Location of the store
Make and model of the vehicle
The extent of the painting job that needs to be done
Vehicle size
Type and quality of paint to use

Note that most of what you pay at Maaco will go to the franchise. Only a small portion goes to the actual person doing the paint job.

Maaco franchisees need to shoulder expenses like rent, maintenance, and other operating expenses, so they have to take a large cut from the price their customers are paying.

Different Paint Packages at Maaco

At Maaco, you will have several options for a car paint job, depending on your budget and your anticipated outcome. Below, we’ll give you a quick look at the available packages:

1. Basic Paint Service

As the name implies, this is the most basic paint job at Maaco. It is also the cheapest. Single-stage enamel paint is applied to your vehicle to give it a fresh look. It is also inclusive of a one-year warranty. Once the job is done, your car will have a glossy finish, making it turn heads.

2. Preferred Paint Service

A step-up from the Basic Paint Service, the Preferred Package offers better quality but still comes with the same affordable price. There is a three-year warranty, which will provide you with peace of mind.

Under this package, Maaco uses urethane paint through a single-stage application. It is more durable than enamel, so you can expect it to resist chipping.

3. Premium Paint Service

Looking at Maaco premium paint job reviews online, many people were happy, mainly because it comes with an unrivaled five-year warranty.

It is a two-stage process with only a single-stage paint application, unlike the two packages above. The superb color match and glossy finish will surely make your car stand out.

4. Platinum Paint Service

If the budget is not an issue, then this is for you. Go online and search for Maaco platinum package review. You will find a lot of satisfied customers. It also has a five-year warranty.

The job includes meticulous bodywork to eliminate imperfections and give your vehicle the best paint job it deserves. It has a urethane base and clear coats to guarantee longevity.

Why Is Maaco So Cheap?

Below are some of why Maaco can offer affordable rates for its car painting services:

1. Limited Color Matching

Maaco has its paints. Meaning they are not using paints from other brands. While such may not be a problem if you paint an entire car, the quality may not be as good for spot painting.

This is because there can be noticeable differences between the original and new paint. For some, this could mean lower quality.

2. Quick Turnaround

One of the reasons people love Maaco is that it has a quick turnaround. Their people are quick, and they only apply a single coat. As earlier mentioned, they do not remove the parts.

They will not paint each individually. This way, they can reduce the effort needed for the job, which is also why they can charge so little.

3. High Volume

This is one thing that is related to what has been mentioned above. Because of the quick turnaround, they can paint more cars at a given time. This will make the business profitable even if they are not charging a lot.

Maaco Alternatives

While Maaco is a market leader, it isn’t perfect. You will hear several Maaco complaints by reading online reviews and asking around people who have tried the company’s services. If you are looking for other alternatives, below are some of the top options that you might want to consider:

Service King Collision

One of the best things about Service King Collision is using a computerized color matching program. The latter will ensure the best color that will match the original so that you can expect top-notch results. Their car painters have professional training and certification to ensure consistent work.

Selecta Auto Body

This is a family-run business that has been operating for almost four decades. Like Maaco, Selecta Auto Body has cemented its reputation in the industry.

The selling point of the company is its approach to sustainability. They offer eco-friendly car painting services, so you won’t have to feel guilty.

Frequently Asked Questions – Maaco Paint Job Review

How Much Does a Paint Job at Maaco Cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 if you want to avail of a Maaco car paint package. There are more expensive services offered through the Preferred and Premium packages. Compared to many of its competitors, Maaco rates are budget-friendly.

Is the Maaco Paint Job Good?

Yes, the paint job at Maaco is good, especially considering the price. Nonetheless, it is not comparable to those you can expect from more expensive service providers.

While it is quick and affordable, there can be problems with paint color matching. Plus, the sanding job is not as thorough if you are availing the basic package.

How Does Maaco Offer Low Prices?

Maaco prices are low because they offer in-house paint brands that may not match the look of the original bodywork. Plus, the basic package only has a single-layer paint application.

They also do not remove and paint each part individually, which minimizes the effort needed for the job. Hence, making the rates more affordable.

In Closing – Maaco Review

Overall, Maaco offers incredible car paint jobs. With almost five decades of experience in the market, it is a preferred choice amongst many people because it is budget-friendly. They have four packages available, ranging from basic to platinum. On average, customers pay anywhere from $300 to $500.

Despite the good things, there are some complaints. For instance, some people do not like how the basic package only has a single-stage application.

Plus, they do not disassemble and paint each part individually. There were also reports of how the sanding job could have been better, especially for the basic package.