Can a body shop charge me storage fees?

Yes they can. However, one thing they often can not do is hold your car until you pay your bill. They can’t hold it hostage but they often try.

Can a repair shop charge me more than the estimate for the repairs?

In some cases, a repair shop can charge you a bit more than the amount on their estimate . If you got a written estimate, the repair shop can charge you up to 10\% more than the estimated amount. For example, if the estimate was for $1,000, the final repair bill could be up to $1,100, but no more than that.

Can a repair shop charge storage fees in Texas?

Yes. A mechanic has the legal right to keep your car until you pay for the repairs and to charge you for storage while waiting for payment.

How much can you charge to store a car?

While the cost to store a car or RV can range anywhere between $45 and $450 per month, depending on the size. Climate controlled storage may cost an additional $50 per month….Average Costs to Rent Portable Units.

Size of Unit	Cost to Rent (per mo.)
16-foot container	$130 – $150
20-foot container	$170 – $250

Can a mechanic charge more than the quote?

Yes, if it’s an ‘estimate’, if it’s a ”quote’, then no. A mechanic can charge as much as they want to. Sometimes it has more problems than originally diagnosed. Although if it happens to often they may lose business.

Can a garage hold my car if I don’t pay?

Finally, a garage has what is called a lien over your vehicle if you do not pay their bill. This means they can legally refuse to return the vehicle until you pay.

What if a mechanic breaks something?

When a mechanic breaks something, they have to replace or fix it. The bad part is they will not get paid for it. That is only fair, you break it you fix it. Not only will the mechanic have to replace/fix the part for free, they feel really bad about it.

Can you charge storage?

California Highway Patrol rates aren’t meant for body shops but towing and storage facilities. Body shop owners have the right to charge reasonable, competitive rates. Insurers cannot cap the number of days a vehicle is held in storage.

How much does a storage unit cost?

Storage units cost approximately $190 per month….Average storage unit cost.

Storage unit sizes	Average monthly cost
Small (5×5–5×10 ft.)	$90
Medium (5×15–10×15 ft.)	$160
Large (10×20–10×30 ft.)	$290

What can I do if a mechanic rips me off?

How to Talk to Your Mechanic

1. Describe the problem fully. Provide as much information as possible.
2. Don’t offer a diagnosis. Avoid saying what you think is causing the problem.
3. Request a test drive. If the problem occurs only when the car is moving, ask the mechanic to accompany you on a test drive.
4. Ask for evidence.

Can a car repair shop charge storage fees?

The answer is yes. The repair shop can charge storage fees and if the storage fees aren’t paid and depending upon whether or not they have properly done the paperwork, they can have your vehicle declared abandoned and sell it to recoup their storage fees. The above is just my opinion based upon the limited facts provided.

How long does a shop have to halt storage fees?

At this point, the shop must halt storage fees until “three days after written notice is sent by the person in possession to the legal owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, and continuing for a period not to exceed any applicable time limit set forth in Section 3068 or 3068.1 of the Civil Code.”

When can I start charging storage fees for a lien?

A shop can start charging storage fees for the first 15 days after the lien begins.

What are storage fee and Lien issues most common in California?

Storage fee and lien issues arise most frequently with the California collision repair industry compared to other auto repairers, a Bureau of Automotive Repair​ enforcer told the agency’s board last week.