Gil's Garage
Matt Brewster, Co-Owner / Operations Manager
Certification Score
99
/ 100
Labor
Rate
$195 / hr
Raise a Hood
5.0
Google
4.9
Leave a Review
Specializing in:
General Repairs and Maintenance. Lifelong customers. Honest Guidance.
local time
Time
Closed
- Mon
- Tue
- Wed
- Thu
- Fri
- Sat
- Sun
Opens
7 am Mon
- 7 am - 6 pm
- 7 am - 6 pm
- 7 am - 6 pm
- 7 am - 6 pm
- 7 am - 6 pm
- Closed
- Closed
Mention “Raise a Hood” for
an automatic $20
discount.
Why Raise a Hood Recommends
Gil’s Garage is one of the most trusted auto repair shops in Burnt Hills and the surrounding Capital Region. For nearly sixty years, this family owned and operated repair center has built its reputation on quality workmanship, honesty, and genuine care for the community it serves. Drivers across Burnt Hills, Halfmoon, and the greater Albany area rely on the Brewster family for dependable automotive repair, expert diagnosis, and a customer experience rooted in integrity.
The story began in 1966 when Gil and Lucille Brewster opened a small two bay Sunoco service station that had been standing since the 1930s. It was simple and reliable, built on the belief that customers should always be treated with fairness and respect. By 1969 the business moved into a new three bay facility, and over time it continued to grow as the community grew around it. While their son, Mike Brewster, was away at school, his parents began building the Burnt Hills location that remains the heart of the company today. That facility opened with four service bays, expanded to ten in 1986, and reached sixteen by 1999 to support increasing demand for high quality automotive repair.
Everything changed in 1985 when Mike was only twenty-five years old. His father passed away unexpectedly during the same season when he and his wife were caring for newborn twins at home. It was a moment that would have tested anyone. Mike often describes those early months as overwhelming and heavy, but also defining. He was grieving his father, learning to be a young parent, and suddenly responsible for a business with employees and customers who relied on it. The shop carried his father’s name, and that weighed on him in meaningful ways. He kept going because he understood what the business meant to the community and because he wanted to honor the standard Gil had set. That experience shaped his career and the long-term direction of Gil’s Garage.
Today the third generation is fully involved. Mike’s son Matt Brewster, the operations manager at the Burnt Hills location, is often the first-person customers meet. His daughter Tina supports HR and marketing, his nephew Eric works as a technician, and his niece Terry provides support at the front desk. Four family members work side by side, continuing the work that Gil and Lucille began nearly sixty years ago. Their involvement reinforces that this business is not simply a shop. It is a family legacy.
The culture inside Gil’s Garage is one of its greatest strengths. Customers are greeted with kindness, professionalism, and genuine appreciation. The team works together seamlessly and takes pride in the Gil’s Garage name. Employees are often recognized around town by customers who want to say thank you for a recent repair. Inside the facility there is a dedicated training room with dozens of seats, reflecting the shop’s investment in growth, learning, and excellence. Mike summarizes their approach through four guiding principles. Take care of every customer. Provide an excellent experience. Create a workplace where team members can thrive. Give back to the community that supports them.
Community involvement has always been part of the shop’s identity. The original maroon and white color scheme were chosen to honor the local high school. The Brewster family participates in organizations such as Burnt Hills Rotary and other local groups. Gil’s Garage has earned multiple local awards, including Daily Gazette Best Of Awards and the Times Union Reader’s Choice. Many customers book appointments weeks in advance because the shop stays busy and because trust is earned through decades of consistent service.
Over the years, many memorable stories have passed through their bays. One of the most memorable moments was when a touring rock band arrived with a motorhome whose steering box was tearing away from the frame. The team repaired the issue so the musicians could continue their tour. Mike still recalls every detail of the repair while laughing about the fact that he cannot remember the name of the band, which is exactly what you would expect from a lifelong mechanic.
Today, nearly sixty years after opening, Gil’s Garage remains one of the most established and respected automotive repair businesses in the region. With Matt Brewster helping guide daily operations, and his father Mike Brester actively managing the business, the next chapter of this story is already well underway. Gil Brewster would be proud of what his family has built and how well they have served their community. His legacy endures.
The story began in 1966 when Gil and Lucille Brewster opened a small two bay Sunoco service station that had been standing since the 1930s. It was simple and reliable, built on the belief that customers should always be treated with fairness and respect. By 1969 the business moved into a new three bay facility, and over time it continued to grow as the community grew around it. While their son, Mike Brewster, was away at school, his parents began building the Burnt Hills location that remains the heart of the company today. That facility opened with four service bays, expanded to ten in 1986, and reached sixteen by 1999 to support increasing demand for high quality automotive repair.
Everything changed in 1985 when Mike was only twenty-five years old. His father passed away unexpectedly during the same season when he and his wife were caring for newborn twins at home. It was a moment that would have tested anyone. Mike often describes those early months as overwhelming and heavy, but also defining. He was grieving his father, learning to be a young parent, and suddenly responsible for a business with employees and customers who relied on it. The shop carried his father’s name, and that weighed on him in meaningful ways. He kept going because he understood what the business meant to the community and because he wanted to honor the standard Gil had set. That experience shaped his career and the long-term direction of Gil’s Garage.
Today the third generation is fully involved. Mike’s son Matt Brewster, the operations manager at the Burnt Hills location, is often the first-person customers meet. His daughter Tina supports HR and marketing, his nephew Eric works as a technician, and his niece Terry provides support at the front desk. Four family members work side by side, continuing the work that Gil and Lucille began nearly sixty years ago. Their involvement reinforces that this business is not simply a shop. It is a family legacy.
The culture inside Gil’s Garage is one of its greatest strengths. Customers are greeted with kindness, professionalism, and genuine appreciation. The team works together seamlessly and takes pride in the Gil’s Garage name. Employees are often recognized around town by customers who want to say thank you for a recent repair. Inside the facility there is a dedicated training room with dozens of seats, reflecting the shop’s investment in growth, learning, and excellence. Mike summarizes their approach through four guiding principles. Take care of every customer. Provide an excellent experience. Create a workplace where team members can thrive. Give back to the community that supports them.
Community involvement has always been part of the shop’s identity. The original maroon and white color scheme were chosen to honor the local high school. The Brewster family participates in organizations such as Burnt Hills Rotary and other local groups. Gil’s Garage has earned multiple local awards, including Daily Gazette Best Of Awards and the Times Union Reader’s Choice. Many customers book appointments weeks in advance because the shop stays busy and because trust is earned through decades of consistent service.
Over the years, many memorable stories have passed through their bays. One of the most memorable moments was when a touring rock band arrived with a motorhome whose steering box was tearing away from the frame. The team repaired the issue so the musicians could continue their tour. Mike still recalls every detail of the repair while laughing about the fact that he cannot remember the name of the band, which is exactly what you would expect from a lifelong mechanic.
Today, nearly sixty years after opening, Gil’s Garage remains one of the most established and respected automotive repair businesses in the region. With Matt Brewster helping guide daily operations, and his father Mike Brester actively managing the business, the next chapter of this story is already well underway. Gil Brewster would be proud of what his family has built and how well they have served their community. His legacy endures.
Certification
Lower
Quality
Quality
0
2
4
6
8
10
Highest
Quality
Quality
Certification Scorecard
Best of the Capital Region, Times Union, 2014, 2023, 2024, 2025
Bestie, Capital Region Living, 2022
Best of the Best People Choice Awards, 2021
ASE Certified mechanics
Hunter Alignment Certified
BBB A+ Rated
Score /
Possible
Certification
Overall Scorecard
99
/ 100
Technician Expertise |
29 / 29 |
| Average Years of Experience | 10 / 10 |
| ASE Certified or Equivalent | 4 / 4 |
| 1 Master ASE Tech (min) | 4 / 4 |
| Annual Training | 4 / 4 |
| Hybrid Electric Vehicles | 3 / 3 |
| GM is/was a Mechanic | 2 / 2 |
| Expertise in ADAS | 1 / 1 |
| Battery Electric Vehicles | 1 / 1 |
Shop Operations |
30 / 30 |
| OEM / Equivalent Parts | 7 / 7 |
| Pro diagnostic tools | 4 / 4 |
| OEM Repair Info | 4 / 4 |
| Organized Facility and Bays | 3 / 3 |
| Onsight Alignment Rack | 3 / 3 |
| Service Advisor a Mechanic | 3 / 3 |
| GM is on-site | 2 / 2 |
| Online Appointments | 1 / 1 |
| Eco-Friendly Practices | 1 / 1 |
| Honor Extended Warranties | 1 / 1 |
| Employee Manual | 1 / 1 |
Customer Experience |
29 / 29 |
| Professional Staff Presence | 5 / 5 |
| Video / Photo Reviews | 4 / 4 |
| Active Communication | 3 / 3 |
| WiFi, Beverages, Seating | 3 / 3 |
| Loaner / Rental Options | 3 / 3 |
| Clean Restrooms | 2 / 2 |
| Shuttle Services | 2 / 2 |
| Support Text, Phone, Email | 2 / 2 |
| Professional Website / App | 2 / 2 |
| Pet Friendly | 1 / 1 |
| Non Smoking | 1 / 1 |
| Community Engagement | 1 / 1 |
Transparency and Trust |
11 / 12 |
| Clear Estimates | 5 / 5 |
| Warranty on Repairs | 2 / 3 |
| Displays Awards and Certs | 2 / 2 |
| Posts Pricing | 1 / 1 |
| Post Mission / Code of Ethics | 1 / 1 |
No Record
Found
Pricing Summary
Gil's Garage offers competitive, affordable pricing, making it one of the top choices for automobile repair in the area. For almost 60 years, they've provided cost-effective solutions for various makes and models. They honor competitive quotes, making them a reliable option for second opinions.
Regional
Ave
$210
Regional
Low
$125
$195
Regional
High
$295
Shop Labor Rate
Common Jobs
The following jobs are intended to give pricing examples of common jobs.
Diagnostic Check - Most Makes
Diagnostic Check - Most Makes
Synthetic Oil Change in a 2015 Ford F150 (V8)
Synthetic Oil Change in a 2015 Ford F150 (V8)
Water Pump Replacement in a 2015 Honda Accord
Water Pump Replacement in a 2015 Honda Accord
4 Wheel alignment of a 2015 Ford Explorer (4 Wheel Drive)
4 Wheel alignment of a 2015 Ford Explorer (4 Wheel Drive)
Transmission Fluids in a 2012 RAM 1500 (2 Wheel Drive)
Transmission Fluids in a 2012 RAM 1500 (2 Wheel Drive)
Differential Fluids in a 2012 RAM 1500 (2 Wheel Drive)
Differential Fluids in a 2012 RAM 1500 (2 Wheel Drive)
Strengths
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
- Deep Expertise Across Generations: With nearly sixty years of continuous operation, Gil’s Garage combines long-standing experience with modern automotive knowledge. Multiple family members work in the business, ensuring a consistent standard across every vehicle.
- Highly Skilled and Well-Trained Team:
The shop employs a large group of technicians across two locations, supported by a dedicated in-house training room with dozens of seats. Ongoing education is a cultural expectation, not a checkbox. - Full Capability for Domestic, Asian, and European Vehicles:
From routine services to complex diagnostics, the team handles a broad range of makes and models. The shop’s size, equipment, and depth of talent allow them to support everything from late-model imports to aging family vehicles.
CUSTOMER-FIRST SERVICE
- Community Built on Trust:
Gil’s Garage has served generations of families in Burnt Hills, guided by four principles: take care of the customer, provide an excellent experience, take care of the team, and give back to the community. - Reputation That Travels: Appointments often need to be booked weeks in advance because customers know the work is honest, thorough, and reliable. Many clients have stayed with the shop for decades and recommend it to friends and family.
- Family Presence Up Front: With Matt Brewster as operations manager and Mike often on-site, customers interact directly with the people who carry the Brewster family name. That kind of accountability is rare and meaningful.
HONEST, PRACTICAL REPAIRS
- Straightforward Assessments:
Gil’s Garage provides clear, honest explanations so customers can make informed decisions. They focus on safety, longevity, and value instead of upselling. - Long-Term Vehicle Stewardship: The team understands that many customers rely on their vehicles for daily life, and they take a practical approach to maintenance—creating repair strategies that extend vehicle life without unnecessary expense.
- Rooted in Integrity:
From repairing a touring band’s failing motorhome frame to guiding families through complex repair decisions, the Brewsters have built a shop where doing the right thing is the daily standard.
Makes and Specialties
Most Common Makes
-
All Domostics And Imports
Specialties
-
General Service
-
Transmission
-
Powertrain
-
Suspension
-
Diagnostics
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