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 | on_request |
|---|---|
| Threshold | $250 |
| Authorization to exceed estimate | written_or_oral |
| Cap on overage | 25% |
| Citation | Tenn. Code Ann. Section 66-19-104 (Duty to inform consumer of rights) |
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. Section 66-19-104 (Duty to inform consumer of rights)
Tennessee does not require an estimate up front. Before beginning any repair work, a Tennessee automotive repair facility must inform the consumer of specific rights: that they may request a written estimate for repairs costing more than $250, and that they may not be charged more than 25% over the written estimate without their consent or a good-faith attempt to get it. Repairs the consumer never authorized cannot be charged unless the facility made a good-faith attempt (at minimum, an attempted phone call) to get consent. These rights must be disclosed in writing immediately above the signature line under a 'Consumer's Rights' heading, physically separated from other contract terms, or given orally with a written record of who was notified and when. Distinctively, this statute lives in Tennessee's lien law (Title 66, 'Liens on Vehicles') rather than a consumer-protection title, and non-compliance carries a specific consequence: the repair facility loses its garagekeeper's lien rights, meaning it cannot legally hold the vehicle to secure payment of the disputed charge.
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