HOW TO HIRE · VEHICLES & TRANSPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a scratch repair technician in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A car scratch repair in Ireland costs €80–€500 per repair, typically around €200. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a scratch repair technician in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers scratch repair technician work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — tools and Materials Used — professionals typically use a range of tools such as polishing machines, sandpaper, and spray guns, along with high-quality paint and clear coat finishes.
- How does depth change the price?Providers price it in because it cannot be worked around. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does size of the scratch change the price?Scale is the first thing a provider measures before quoting. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does type of vehicle change the price?Better kit does the job faster and to a higher standard. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Repair Techniques — common techniques for car scratch repair include buffing, touch-up painting, and full panel respraying — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a scratch repair technician job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO MECHANICS IN IRELAND — anyone may repair a car. The statutory thing is the NCT, which is carried out by the national testing service and not by a garage, so a garage cannot issue one. SIMI membership is a trade association rather than a licence, and it gives you a complaints route.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Motor trade insurance covering your car while it is in their custody, which is separate from their public liability; A written estimate before work starts, and a call before any extra work; Whether parts are new, reconditioned or used, named on the invoice; The guarantee on parts and on labour, separately, in writing; Whether diagnosis is charged separately and whether it is credited against the repair; For a pre-purchase inspection, that the inspector is independent of the seller.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability and motor trade cover for vehicles in their custody. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers scratch repair technician work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — tools and Materials Used — professionals typically use a range of tools such as polishing machines, sandpaper, and spray guns, along with high-quality paint and clear coat finishes.
A good answer: Providers price it in because it cannot be worked around. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Scale is the first thing a provider measures before quoting. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Better kit does the job faster and to a higher standard. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Repair Techniques — common techniques for car scratch repair include buffing, touch-up painting, and full panel respraying — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a scratch repair technician job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability and motor trade cover for vehicles in their custody — types of Car Scratches — car scratch repair can address a variety of damages, including surface scratches that affect only the paint, deeper scratches that reach the primer, and even scuffs that may require polishing.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the scratch repair technician starts, and an itemised invoice after — full Panel Respray — A comprehensive service that involves repainting an entire panel to fix extensive scratches or damage.
Getting the quote right
- Depth — providers price it in because it cannot be worked around.
- Size of the scratch — scale is the first thing a provider measures before quoting.
- Type of vehicle — better kit does the job faster and to a higher standard.
- Repair method used — a surface in good order needs far less time to prepare.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: depth — providers price it in because it cannot be worked around
- They will not talk about it: size of the scratch — scale is the first thing a provider measures before quoting
- They will not talk about it: type of vehicle — better kit does the job faster and to a higher standard
- A price for the scratch repair technician before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the scratch repair technician has begun
What a scratch repair technician costs: €80–€500 per repair
The figures are for the job, per repair, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Minor scratch repair and Deep scratch repair each carry their own band. Car Scratch Repair price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Scratch repair technicians near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstDepth — providers price it in because it cannot be worked around — that is what the scratch repair technician is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneSize of the scratch — scale is the first thing a provider measures before quoting — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfType of vehicle — better kit does the job faster and to a higher standard — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherRepair method used — a surface in good order needs far less time to prepare — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the scratch repair technician is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, safety measures should be followed to protect both the technician and the vehicle during the repair process.
- Types of Car Scratches
- Car scratch repair can address a variety of damages, including surface scratches that affect only the paint, deeper scratches that reach the primer, and even scuffs that may require polishing.
- Repair Techniques
- Common techniques for car scratch repair include buffing, touch-up painting, and full panel respraying.
- Tools and Materials Used
- Professionals typically use a range of tools such as polishing machines, sandpaper, and spray guns, along with high-quality paint and clear coat finishes.
- Minor Scratch Repair
- Involves polishing or buffing out shallow scratches to restore the original finish.
- Deep Scratch Repair
- Requires filling the scratch with a suitable material before repainting to match the vehicle's colour.
- Scuff Mark Removal
- Focuses on removing surface scuffs caused by contact with other vehicles or objects.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a scratch repair technician: questions people ask
The cost of car scratch repair can vary based on the depth and size of the scratch, the type of vehicle, and the repair method used. For instance, a deep scratch requiring repainting will typically cost more than a superficial scratch that can be buffed out.
The duration of a car scratch repair can range from 30 minutes for minor scratches to several hours for more extensive repairs. Generally, simple buffing can be done quickly, while repainting requires more time for drying and curing.
While many general auto repair professionals can handle scratch repairs, a qualified specialist may be beneficial for more complex jobs or high-end vehicles. It's advisable to choose a technician with experience in paint matching and repair techniques.
Same-day service for car scratch repairs may be offered by some providers, especially for minor scratches. However, it’s best to check in advance, as more extensive repairs may require additional time.
Yes, many auto repair shops allow you to book multiple services, such as scratch repairs and detailing, which can often lead to discounts. It's a good idea to inquire about package deals when scheduling your appointment.
Scratch repair generally does not cover structural damage, dents, or paintless dent repairs. If the scratch has caused underlying damage to the bodywork or if there are significant dents, additional services may be necessary.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in vehicles & transport
Scratch repair technicians near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- CCPC — your rights when you buy a service
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Courts Service — small claims
- Revenue — MOTOR VEHICLES - REPAIRS (Certain repair and related services) — Reduced rate
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only