The Repair Estimate
Bus. & Prof. Code 9884.9 — a written price before the work, and consent before going over it
In California, an automotive repair dealer gives the customer a written estimated price for the labor and parts for a specific job, and no work is done and no charges accrue before the customer authorizes it.
Going over the estimate. No charge may be made for work or parts beyond the estimated price without the customer's oral or written consent, obtained after the dealer determines the estimate is insufficient and before the extra work is done. Oral consent is noted on the work order with the date, time, name of the person authorizing it, and the added parts, labor and cost.
- Body and collision work gets an itemized written estimate showing each part as new, used, rebuilt or reconditioned, and each crash part as original equipment or aftermarket.
- Work to be done by someone other than the dealer is listed with the estimate and needs the customer's consent.
- The invoice lists service work and parts separately, says when parts are used, rebuilt or reconditioned, and one copy goes to the customer.
Old parts. On request when the work order is taken, replaced parts are returned at completion, apart from those exempt by regulation or owed to a manufacturer under a warranty, which the dealer offers to show instead.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe shop can add work and bill for it later | What the law actually doesNo charge beyond the estimate without consent obtained before the extra work |
| The assumptionWork can start once the car is dropped off | What the law actually doesNo work is done and no charges accrue before the customer authorizes it |
Warranty disputes, insurance claims and a shop's lien for unpaid repairs are not all on this page. Whether a particular bill was lawful is a question for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Bus. & Prof. Code 9884.9 — Automotive repair: written estimated price and consent to exceed it
- Bus. & Prof. Code 9884.8 — Automotive repair: invoice
- Bus. & Prof. Code 9884.10 — Automotive repair: return of replaced parts
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.