How do I check a wrap shop’s vinyl install quality before buying?

Start with the finished vehicles. Look closely at seams, edges, corners, door handles and recesses. Check for bubbles, stretch marks, lifting and trimming that cuts too close to paint. Ask to see work that has been on the road for a while, not only fresh jobs photographed at their best.

Next, ask about problems. How many jobs come back, why, and who pays to fix them? Ask to see the callback notes and a few unhappy customer messages. A shop that records its mistakes is often a shop that learns from them.

Then watch the people. Ask who does the installs, how they were trained and how long they have worked there. Watch one at work. Find out whether the skill is held by the owner or by staff, and whether they would stay. Also ask how materials are stored and handled, since poor storage causes waste. Your accountant can look at how waste and redos show up in the numbers. Ask for photos and dates of a few older jobs and then inspect one in person if the customer agrees. Time shows what a first look cannot.

Key takeaways

• Inspect older installs up close in daylight, not only fresh jobs photographed at their best.
• Read callback notes and ask who pays for redos.
• Find out who the skilled installers are and whether they will stay.
• Ask to see a few older jobs in person, not only photos.