Expert: Mike Potter - 2/28/2008

Question
At what point does an auto body shop have to have permission to exceed an estimate previously provided to you?  I recently took my car in to have work done and had receieved an estimate for the work a week before.  When I called after the stated amount of time they said it would take I was told they found additional damage and they needed to keep more car for additional amount of time.  I was never called and informed of this.

Answer
They probably should have called you. In most cases, the shop calls the insurance co. for a supplement to be added to the bill. Look at your estimate, it should state right in plain sight that this just an estimate and hidden damage may be present and raise the cost of repairs. If you are paying the whole bill and not the ins. co., then they must contact you by law before they proceed with extra work.