600

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 49

included. This definition is in no way
intended to change the present law, merely to
clarify it.

14-1002. WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WORK.

(A)   WRITTEN ESTIMATE REQUIRED; FEE.

(1)   BEFORE BEGINNING ANY REPAIR WORK ON A
MOTOR VEHICLE FOR WHICH A CUSTOMER IS CHARGED MORE THAN
$50, AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY SHALL GIVE THE
CUSTOMER ON HIS REQUEST A WRITTEN STATEMENT WHICH
CONTAINS:

(i) THE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE; AND

(ii) THE ESTIMATED PRICE FOR LABOR AND PARTS
NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE WORK.

(2)   THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY MAY CHARGE
A REASONABLE FEE FOR MAKING THE ESTIMATE.

(B)   PROHIBITED CHARGES.

AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY MAY NOT CHARGE A
CUSTOMER WITHOUT HIS CONSENT ANY AMOUNT WHICH EXCEEDS THE
WRITTEN ESTIMATE BY 10 PERCENT.

(C)   WHEN REPAIR DELAY EXCUSED.

AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR
BREACH OF THE WRITTEN ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE FOR A
REPAIR IF THE DELAY IS CAUSED BY:

(1)   AN ACT OF GOD;

(2)   STRIKE;

(3)   UNEXPECTED ILLNESS; OR

(4)   UNEXPECTED SHORTAGE OF LABOR OR PARTS.

(D)   WHEN WRITTEN ESTIMATE NOT REQUIRED.

THIS SECTION DOES NOT REQUIRE AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
FACILITY TO GIVE A WRITTEN ESTIMATE IF THE FACILITY DOES
NOT AGREE TO PERFORM THE REQUESTED REPAIR WORK.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section presently appears as
Art. 83, §51 (a).

In subsection (b) of this section, the present
reference to "oral or written" consent is
deleted as unnecessary.