# CA Law **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [September 13, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069 "2010-09-13T16:49:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![krmdome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b4bc9f/32.png) [@krmdome](https://community.cartalk.com/u/krmdome)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/1 "2010-09-13T16:49:15Z")
Does anyone know if garages/service centers are required by law in California to post their labor charges in a visible location? ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/2 "2010-09-13T18:40:01Z")
I don’t believe they are required by law but anything is possible. Here’s what I found online: THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR ACT OF 1974, A CUSTOMER IS ENTITLED TO * * * 1.A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WORK. 2.A DETAILED INVOICE OF WORK DONE AND PARTS SUPPLIED. 3.RETURN OF REPLACED PARTS, IF REQUESTED AT THE TIME A WORK ORDER IS PLACED. * * * QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE ABOVE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE MANAGER OF THE REPAIR FACILITY. UNRESOLVED QUESTIONS REGARDING SERVICE WORK MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR. * * * FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR AT (TOLL-FREE) 1-800-952-5210, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY OR VISIT THE BUREAU’S WEBSITE AT [WWW.AUTOREPAIR.CA.GOV](http://WWW.AUTOREPAIR.CA.GOV) You might check with the website if you have a specific question pertaining to vehicle repair in California. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/3 "2010-09-13T20:41:39Z")
Why ? No offense, but are you afraid to just ask? ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/4 "2010-09-14T00:07:31Z")
I do not know, But estimates are usually free. ---
**Author:** ![ZombieWoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/91b2a8/32.png) [@ZombieWoof](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ZombieWoof)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 7:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/5 "2010-09-15T07:29:53Z")
Probably not. Remember, an estimate is an estimate, not a contract. “Oh yeah, we put our slowest guy on your car.” ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/6 "2010-09-15T13:14:11Z")
I know in NH and MA they are…And since CA is a lot more liberal…I suspect they are too. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ca-law/55069/7 "2010-09-15T21:59:59Z")
No, they do not have to post their labor rate or even put it on the final invoice. See the FAQ section in the referenced document. [http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/80\_BARResources/07\_AutoRepair/writeAutoRepDlr.pdf](http://www.autorepair.ca.gov/80_BARResources/07_AutoRepair/writeAutoRepDlr.pdf)