Repair-shop disputes generally come down to the same things: the written estimate, what was actually authorized, and the final invoice. Organize those facts and get a free letter outline; the full demand letter is in the $39 Case Pack.
| Estimate required | always |
|---|---|
| Threshold | Not specified |
| Authorization to exceed estimate | written_or_oral |
| Cap on overage | $10 |
| Citation | 940 CMR 5.05 (Attorney General Motor Vehicle Regulations) |
Source: 940 CMR 5.05 (Attorney General Motor Vehicle Regulations)
Under the Massachusetts Attorney General's motor vehicle repair regulation (940 CMR 5.05), a shop may not charge a customer for any repair unless it first obtained signed written authorization listing the specific repairs and total price. If the shop cannot identify the needed repairs when the car is dropped off, it must contact the customer before starting, explain findings, quote a total price, and get approval. Distinctively, the overage trigger is a FLAT $10, not a percentage: if the shop discovers additional repairs, or if the price will exceed either the price the customer authorized or the price on a posted schedule of repair charges by more than $10.00, it must stop, inform the customer, and get authorization before continuing - a far tighter tolerance than the 10%-style rules common in other states. A customer may sign a written waiver allowing the shop to proceed without further approval as long as the total stays below a dollar figure the customer specifies.
Wherewithal is an organizational tool only. Not legal advice. Consider consulting a licensed attorney.