PK =\_rels/PK =\ _rels/.rels PK =\ docProps/PK =\@docProps/core.xml html-to-docx html-to-docx html-to-docx 1 2026-07-03T23:57:55.788Z 2026-07-03T23:57:55.788Z PK =\word/PK =\ word/theme/PK =\n3Tword/theme/theme1.xml PK =\gword/document.xml Estimate Overage: State Rules One-Pager Can a mechanic charge more than the estimate? Verified state caps & authorization rules Free resource by garageauto.app Shop management from $39/mo State Rules at a Glance State Rule for exceeding a written estimate Statute / authority California Consent required for ANY amount over the estimate — no tolerance. Oral OK must be logged (date, time, name). Bus. & Prof. Code §9884.9 (BAR) Connecticut No charge above the estimate without your oral or written consent, recorded on the invoice. Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-65f Florida Cap: estimate + greater of $10 or 10%, never more than $50 over, without new authorization. Written estimate required over $150. Fla. Stat. §§559.905, 559.909 Illinois Final bill may not exceed the written estimate by more than 10% without your consent. 815 ILCS 306 (Automotive Repair Act) Maryland No charge more than 10% above the written estimate without consent; unauthorized repairs can't be billed. Md. Code, Com. Law §14-1008 Massachusetts Shop must notify you and get authorization if the price will exceed the authorized amount by more than $10. 940 CMR 5.05(7) Michigan Consent required; narrow exception up to the LESSER of 10% or $50 over the estimate. MCL 257.1332 Minnesota Final price may not exceed the written estimate by more than 10% without prior authorization. Ask for it in writing — oral estimates aren't covered. Minn. Stat. §325F.62 New Jersey No work beyond the estimate without authorization; oral OKs must be noted with date, time, and name. No fixed % tolerance. N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26C.2 New York Final bill may not exceed the written estimate without your consent. Complaints go to the NY DMV (90 days / 3,000 miles). Veh. & Traf. Law §398-d (Repair Shop Act) Oregon No charge for work or parts in excess of the estimate without consent; extra safeguards when the estimate exceeds $200. ORS 646A.480–.486 Texas No repair-specific statutory cap — Deceptive Trade Practices Act applies. AG advises written estimates and written authorization. Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 17 (DTPA) Virginia Charge may not exceed the written estimate by more than 10% without authorization (20% for vehicles 25 or more model years old); shops must post a sign saying so. Va. Code §59.1-207.3 Washington Final bill capped at 110% of the written estimate unless the shop gets your authorization first (the classic "10% rule"). RCW 46.71.025, .035 Wisconsin Shop must contact you with a revised estimate and get authorization BEFORE exceeding; can't force payment above what you authorized. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 132 All other states No specific statutory cap verified — general consumer-protection (UDAP) and authorization rules apply. Check your state AG or consumer-affairs office. State UDAP laws Authorization Checklist For Customers Ask for a written estimate before any work begins — your right in most states. Tell the shop to call you before exceeding the estimate; note the threshold in your state above. Approve extra work in writing (text or email) whenever possible — keep the message. At pickup, get the itemized final invoice and compare it line by line to the estimate. If overcharged: raise it with the owner → file with your state AG / consumer affairs → small claims court. For Shops Written, signed estimate for every job — parts, labor, fees — before any wrench turns. Stop work the moment scope changes; contact the customer with a revised figure first. Log every re-authorization on the repair order: date, time, name, amount approved. Final invoice mirrors the estimate line for line, with approved overages shown separately. Keep estimates, ROs, and invoices with the vehicle history in case of a dispute. Last reviewed July 2026. Laws change and this one-pager is a summary, not legal advice. Thresholds may depend on repair cost, whether the estimate was written, and waivers. Verify the current rule with your state attorney general or consumer-affairs agency before relying on it. Free one-pager by garageauto.app — estimates, repair orders, and invoices for auto repair shops, starting at $39/mo. PK =\DQword/fontTable.xml PK =\vD@XXword/styles.xml PK =\\3AAword/numbering.xml PK =\!P44word/settings.xml PK =\zword/webSettings.xml PK =\ word/_rels/PK =\ͅword/_rels/document.xml.rels PK =\x}[Content_Types].xml PK =\_rels/PK =\ $_rels/.relsPK =\ docProps/PK =\@6docProps/core.xmlPK =\]word/PK =\ word/theme/PK =\n3Tword/theme/theme1.xmlPK =\gword/document.xmlPK =\DQword/fontTable.xmlPK =\vD@XXword/styles.xmlPK =\\3AAword/numbering.xmlPK =\!P44word/settings.xmlPK =\zvword/webSettings.xmlPK =\ word/_rels/PK =\ͅword/_rels/document.xml.relsPK =\x}m[Content_Types].xmlPK<