Before making repairs that will cost more than $100, garages must provide you with a written evaluation. Garages must do this free of charge, unless they indicate the exact fee prior to preparing the evaluation.

If you have signed a document printed by the merchant to decline this evaluation, this document has no legal value. To decline the evaluation, you must write and sign a document yourself.

Information contained in the evaluation

The evaluation must contain the following information:

• your name and address and those of the garage;
• the make, model, and license plate number of the vehicle;
• a description of the repairs and the total cost;
• the parts to be installed and their condition (new, used, remanufactured or refurbished parts);
• the date;
• the period for which the evaluation is valid.

Decling repairs

If you decide not to proceed with the repairs, the garage cannot charge additional fees, for example for reassembling the engine. Your car must be returned to you in the same condition as when you brought it. If the garage wishes to charge such fees, it must include them in the amount charged for the evaluation.

Authorizing repairs

You must provide your authorization before the garage can proceed with the repairs. Additionally, the garage cannot perform any repairs that were not specified in the evaluation without your consent.

The garage cannot charge you more than the total price stated in the evaluation. Only fees for additional repairs authorized by you can be added.

Repairs performed under warranty

Garages are not required to provide an evaluation if the repairs are performed for free, usually because they are covered by a warranty.