{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-207.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-207.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-207.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-207.3.html"}],"law_id":81916,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81916,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.3","catch_line":"Written estimate for repair work required upon request; charge in excess of estimate; conditions; display of sign required; limitations on liability for delay; exception","history":"1979, c. 506; 1995, c. 110; 2012, cc. 803, 835.","full_text":"A\n\nUpon request by a customer, prior to the commencement of any repair work on a motor vehicle for which a customer may be charged more than $25, every automobile repair facility doing business in the Commonwealth shall provide the customer a written statement of (i) the estimated cost of labor necessary to complete the work, (ii) the estimated cost of parts necessary to complete work, (iii) a description of the problem or work as described or authorized by the customer, and (iv) the estimated completion time. An automobile repair facility shall have no obligation to provide such written statements prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. during a working day.B\n\nWhere a written estimate is requested, no repair work on the motor vehicle may be undertaken, other than such diagnostic work as may be necessary for the preparation of an estimate, until the written estimate has been provided the customer and the customer has authorized the work, either in writing or orally, and no charge for repair work in excess of the written estimate by more than 10 percent or, in the case of any motor vehicle which is at least 25 model years old, 20 percent or extension of the time for the work may be made unless the additional work represented by such excess charge or the time extension has been authorized, in writing or orally, by the customer.C\n\nAn automobile repair facility may impose reasonable conditions for its obligations to provide written estimates to a customer, including the imposition of a reasonable fee for the preparation of a written estimate and related diagnostic work; provided that any such conditions shall be disclosed to the customer at the time of his request by writing or by sign conspicuously posted at the entrance of the automobile repair facility.\n\t\t\tEach automobile repair facility shall display in a conspicuous place at any point where vehicles are normally received for repairs, a sign which states that:1\n\nThe customer may receive a written estimate on request;2\n\nNo repair work charge may exceed the written estimate by more than 10 percent unless the additional work represented by the excess charge has been authorized by the customer;3\n\nAny conditions imposed by the automobile repair facility in providing written estimates, such as the limited hours when written estimates will be prepared or the amount of the reasonable fee charged for preparing a written estimate and for related diagnostic work;4\n\nThe facility shall offer to return all replaced parts except warranty, core charge or trade-in parts required to be returned to a manufacturer or distributor; and5\n\nAny complaints can be made to the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Department of Law.\n\t\t\t\tThe sign heading “Customer Rights” shall be in letters at least one and one-half inches high and the remaining print shall be in letters at least one-fourth inch high with spacing between letters, words and lines so as to be clearly legible.D\n\nAn automobile repair facility shall not be liable for breach of the written estimated completion date for a repair if the delay is occasioned by (i) an act of God or (ii) an unexpected shortage of labor or parts or (iii) other causes beyond the control of the automobile repair facility.E\n\nNothing in this section shall require an automobile repair facility to give a written estimate if the facility is unwilling to perform the requested repair work.F\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to the repair of any motor vehicle which is any car listed in the Official Judging Manual of the Antique Automobile Club of America.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293488,"text":"Upon request by a customer, prior to the commencement of any repair work on a motor vehicle for which a customer may be charged more than $25, every automobile repair facility doing business in the Commonwealth shall provide the customer a written statement of (i) the estimated cost of labor necessary to complete the work, (ii) the estimated cost of parts necessary to complete work, (iii) a description of the problem or work as described or authorized by the customer, and (iv) the estimated completion time. An automobile repair facility shall have no obligation to provide such written statements prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. during a working day.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":293489,"text":"Where a written estimate is requested, no repair work on the motor vehicle may be undertaken, other than such diagnostic work as may be necessary for the preparation of an estimate, until the written estimate has been provided the customer and the customer has authorized the work, either in writing or orally, and no charge for repair work in excess of the written estimate by more than 10 percent or, in the case of any motor vehicle which is at least 25 model years old, 20 percent or extension of the time for the work may be made unless the additional work represented by such excess charge or the time extension has been authorized, in writing or orally, by the customer.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":293490,"text":"An automobile repair facility may impose reasonable conditions for its obligations to provide written estimates to a customer, including the imposition of a reasonable fee for the preparation of a written estimate and related diagnostic work; provided that any such conditions shall be disclosed to the customer at the time of his request by writing or by sign conspicuously posted at the entrance of the automobile repair facility.\n\t\t\tEach automobile repair facility shall display in a conspicuous place at any point where vehicles are normally received for repairs, a sign which states that:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":293491,"text":"The customer may receive a written estimate on request;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":293492,"text":"No repair work charge may exceed the written estimate by more than 10 percent unless the additional work represented by the excess charge has been authorized by the customer;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":293493,"text":"Any conditions imposed by the automobile repair facility in providing written estimates, such as the limited hours when written estimates will be prepared or the amount of the reasonable fee charged for preparing a written estimate and for related diagnostic work;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":293494,"text":"The facility shall offer to return all replaced parts except warranty, core charge or trade-in parts required to be returned to a manufacturer or distributor; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"7":{"id":293495,"text":"Any complaints can be made to the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Department of Law.\n\t\t\t\tThe sign heading “Customer Rights” shall be in letters at least one and one-half inches high and the remaining print shall be in letters at least one-fourth inch high with spacing between letters, words and lines so as to be clearly legible.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"D"},"8":{"id":293496,"text":"An automobile repair facility shall not be liable for breach of the written estimated completion date for a repair if the delay is occasioned by (i) an act of God or (ii) an unexpected shortage of labor or parts or (iii) other causes beyond the control of the automobile repair facility.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C5","next_prefix":"E"},"9":{"id":293497,"text":"Nothing in this section shall require an automobile repair facility to give a written estimate if the facility is unwilling to perform the requested repair work.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"10":{"id":293498,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the repair of any motor vehicle which is any car listed in the Official Judging Manual of the Antique Automobile Club of America.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15741,"edition_id":1,"name":"Automobile Repair Facilities Act","identifier":"17.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:58:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:58:46","permalink":{"id":259837,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15741,"identifier":"17.1","token":"59.1\/17.1","url":"\/59.1\/17.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83797,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.1","catch_line":"Title of chapter","url":"\/59.1-207.1\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.1","metadata":false},{"id":60468,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-207.2\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.2","metadata":false},{"id":81916,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.3","catch_line":"Written estimate for repair work required upon request; charge in excess of estimate; conditions; display of sign required; limitations on liability for delay; exception","url":"\/59.1-207.3\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.3","metadata":false},{"id":63324,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.4","catch_line":"Offer to return replaced parts required; customer's right to inspect parts","url":"\/59.1-207.4\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.4","metadata":false},{"id":70501,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.5","catch_line":"Written invoice required upon completion of repair work","url":"\/59.1-207.5\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.5","metadata":false},{"id":68393,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.5:1","catch_line":"Sale or installation of motor vehicle glass; prohibited conduct","url":"\/59.1-207.5_1\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":68426,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.6","catch_line":"Enforcement; penalties","url":"\/59.1-207.6\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60468,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-207.2\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63324,"structure_id":15741,"section_number":"59.1-207.4","catch_line":"Offer to return replaced parts required; customer's right to inspect parts","url":"\/59.1-207.4\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-207.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 506 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1995, chapter 110<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 803<\/a> and 835<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":259847,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81916,"identifier":"59.1-207.3","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.3","url":"\/59.1-207.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-207.3\/","token":"59.1\/17.1\/59.1-207.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Written estimate for repair work required upon request; charge in excess of estimate; conditions; display of sign required; limitations on liability for delay; exception","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-207.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Upon request by a customer, prior to the commencement of any repair work on a motor vehicle<\/span> for which a customer may be charged more than $25, every automobile repair facility<\/span> doing business in the Commonwealth shall provide the customer a written statement of (i) the estimated cost of labor necessary to complete the work, (ii) the estimated cost of parts necessary to complete work, (iii) a description of the problem or work as described or authorized by the customer, and (iv) the estimated completion time. An automobile repair facility<\/span> shall have no obligation to provide such written statements prior to 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. during a working day. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Where a written estimate is requested, no repair work on the motor vehicle<\/span> may be undertaken, other than such diagnostic work as may be necessary for the preparation of an estimate, until the written estimate has been provided the customer and the customer has authorized the work, either in writing or orally, and no charge for repair work in excess of the written estimate by more than 10 percent or, in the case of any motor vehicle<\/span> which is at least 25 model years old, 20 percent or extension of the time for the work may be made unless the additional work represented by such excess charge or the time extension has been authorized, in writing or orally, by the customer. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> An automobile repair facility<\/span> may impose reasonable conditions for its obligations to provide written estimates to a customer, including the imposition of a reasonable fee for the preparation of a written estimate and related diagnostic work; provided that any such conditions shall be disclosed to the customer at the time of his request by writing or by sign conspicuously posted at the entrance of the automobile repair facility<\/span>.\n\t\t\tEach automobile repair facility<\/span> shall display in a conspicuous place at any point where vehicles are normally received for repairs, a sign which states that: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The customer may receive a written estimate on request; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> No repair work charge may exceed the written estimate by more than 10 percent unless the additional work represented by the excess charge has been authorized by the customer; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Any conditions imposed by the automobile repair facility<\/span> in providing written estimates, such as the limited hours when written estimates will be prepared or the amount of the reasonable fee charged for preparing a written estimate and for related diagnostic work; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The facility shall offer to return all replaced parts except warranty, core charge or trade-in parts required to be returned to a manufacturer or distributor; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Any complaints can be made to the Division of Consumer Counsel<\/span> of the Department of Law<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\tThe sign heading “Customer Rights” shall be in letters at least one and one-half inches high and the remaining print shall be in letters at least one-fourth inch high with spacing between letters, words and lines so as to be clearly legible. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> An automobile repair facility<\/span> shall not be liable for breach of the written estimated completion date for a repair if the delay is occasioned by (i) an act of God or (ii) an unexpected shortage of labor or parts or (iii) other causes beyond the control of the automobile repair facility<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall require an automobile repair facility<\/span> to give a written estimate if the facility is unwilling to perform the requested repair work. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to the repair of any motor vehicle<\/span> which is any car listed in the Official Judging Manual of the Antique Automobile Club of America. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WORK REQUIRED UPON REQUEST; CHARGE IN EXCESS OF\nESTIMATE; CONDITIONS; DISPLAY OF SIGN REQUIRED; LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY FOR\nDELAY; EXCEPTION (\u00a7 59.1-207.3)\n\nA. Upon request by a customer, prior to the commencement of any repair work on a\nmotor vehicle for which a customer may be charged more than $25, every\nautomobile repair facility doing business in the Commonwealth shall provide the\ncustomer a written statement of (i) the estimated cost of labor necessary to\ncomplete the work, (ii) the estimated cost of parts necessary to complete work,\n(iii) a description of the problem or work as described or authorized by the\ncustomer, and (iv) the estimated completion time. An automobile repair facility\nshall have no obligation to provide such written statements prior to 10:00 a.m.\nor after 4:00 p.m. during a working day.\n\nB. Where a written estimate is requested, no repair work on the motor vehicle\nmay be undertaken, other than such diagnostic work as may be necessary for the\npreparation of an estimate, until the written estimate has been provided the\ncustomer and the customer has authorized the work, either in writing or orally,\nand no charge for repair work in excess of the written estimate by more than 10\npercent or, in the case of any motor vehicle which is at least 25 model years\nold, 20 percent or extension of the time for the work may be made unless the\nadditional work represented by such excess charge or the time extension has been\nauthorized, in writing or orally, by the customer.\n\nC. An automobile repair facility may impose reasonable conditions for its\nobligations to provide written estimates to a customer, including the imposition\nof a reasonable fee for the preparation of a written estimate and related\ndiagnostic work; provided that any such conditions shall be disclosed to the\ncustomer at the time of his request by writing or by sign conspicuously posted\nat the entrance of the automobile repair facility.\n\t\t\tEach automobile repair facility shall display in a conspicuous place at any\npoint where vehicles are normally received for repairs, a sign which states\nthat:\n\n 1. The customer may receive a written estimate on request;\n\n 2. No repair work charge may exceed the written estimate by more than 10\n percent unless the additional work represented by the excess charge has been\n authorized by the customer;\n\n 3. Any conditions imposed by the automobile repair facility in providing\n written estimates, such as the limited hours when written estimates will be\n prepared or the amount of the reasonable fee charged for preparing a written\n estimate and for related diagnostic work;\n\n 4. The facility shall offer to return all replaced parts except warranty, core\n charge or trade-in parts required to be returned to a manufacturer or\n distributor; and\n\n 5. Any complaints can be made to the Division of Consumer Counsel of the\n Department of Law.\n \t\t\t\tThe sign heading “Customer Rights” shall be in letters at\n least one and one-half inches high and the remaining print shall be in letters\n at least one-fourth inch high with spacing between letters, words and lines so\n as to be clearly legible.\n\nD. An automobile repair facility shall not be liable for breach of the written\nestimated completion date for a repair if the delay is occasioned by (i) an act\nof God or (ii) an unexpected shortage of labor or parts or (iii) other causes\nbeyond the control of the automobile repair facility.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall require an automobile repair facility to give a\nwritten estimate if the facility is unwilling to perform the requested repair\nwork.\n\nF. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the repair of any motor\nvehicle which is any car listed in the Official Judging Manual of the Antique\nAutomobile Club of America.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 506; 1995, c. 110; 2012, cc. 803, 835.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}