I just can't imagine getting work done without knowing how much it will cost beforehand, but that's just me.
The estimate in most cases, is usually on the high side just in case they run into a snag. If it's really bad, then they should call the owner before they go ahead with the repairs, etc.

Good Luck with this

 

You agreed on an hourly rate which is fine but you should of discussed an estimate on how hours it would take for all the work to be done and an approximate total cost. I think you are responsible for the total bill , only suggestion is to talk to the owner of the shop when he returns from vacation. Explain to him you were shocked by the total amount of the bill and didn't expect it to cost as much as it did. Ask him if he could come down in price and work with you on the bill. If he finds out you contacted a lawyer I'm sure he won't be willing to work with you on the bill and will want his full price. A lawyer can only represent you in small claims court but for all that work the shop did on your car its not far off. In the end you will have to pay the full bill and the lawyer fees on top of it. Talk to the owner of the shop in a respectful way , it might go a long way.
Good Luck

 

Cows out of the barn at this point...work has been done and a shop is waiting to be paid. The fact you were presented with a bill and than balked at paying, he can slap you with a mechanics lien and you now run the risk of loosing your car and could be presented with his attorney fees:

http://kansasstatutes.lesterama.org/...1/60-1101.html 60-1101: Liens of contractors; priority. Any person furnishing labor, equipment, material, or supplies used or consumed for the improvement of real property, under a contract with the owner or with the trustee, agent or spouse of the owner, shall have a lien upon the property for the labor, equipment, material or supplies furnished at the site of the property subject to the lien, and for the cost of transporting the same. The lien shall be preferred to all other liens or encumbrances which are subsequent to the commencement of the furnishing of such labor, equipment, material or supplies by such claimant at the site of the property subject to the lien. When two or more such contracts are entered into applicable to the same improvement, the liens of all claimants shall be similarly preferred to the date of the earliest unsatisfied lien of any of them. If an earlier unsatisfied lien is paid in full or otherwise discharged, the commencement date for all claimants shall be the date of the next earliest unsatisfied lien.

History: L. 1963, ch. 303, 60-1101; L. 1965, ch. 355, § 5; L. 1972, ch. 223, § 1; L. 1977, ch. 203, § 1; L. 1978, ch. 230, § 1; L. 1982, ch. 248, § 1; L. 2005, ch. 95, § 1; July 1.

 

Just talk to the guy and be nice. Maybe he'll adjust the bill some. If not, pay up and lesson learned. Education can be expensive, I figure most of us can attest to that!

 

Whether you got an estimate or not isn't what matters. All that matters is whether you authorized the work they did and whether they actually did the work they've billed you for. If the answer to those two questions is 'yes' you don't need a lawyer, you just need to pay the bill. It's pretty simple really.

 

Oh, c'mon, OP. YOu haven't got one person saying, "You got screwed!"

I understand you are upset: almost $7K is a lot of money. And you probably "thought" maybe a couple thousand to put it all together based on a labor rate of X dollars per hour and add a little paint.

Well, it didn't happen that way. And you didn't ask: not before the work started, not during either. So, you got a surprise.

But let's face it: you didn't ask, you just "assumed." You didn't write a contract. You don't have an estimate. What exactly are you going to ask an attorney----"Did I do something wrong?"

I can assure you the answer is already written above. Sorry to say it, but move on, and consider it a lesson learned. "We" learn it every day. Seriously.

 

You had a lot of work done and it's no cheap.

 

This sounds like an episode of Fantom Works

 

his mistake, his dime.

 

Wow, getting a lawyer. That is what's wrong with America now, too many dang lawyers making decisions for everybody. Where in the world is common sense. You agreed on things in a certain way, he delivered th goods, and now you want to change the game plan. Common sense would say how many hours at what rate and how much paint at how much per gallon.

 

Agreed, no business is going to let you take the car without paying first. No payment, no car... something is missing here!!

 

Might wanna get an estimate from the lawyer on what this little "consultation" is going to cost while you're at it.

 

Hey, I'd like to see some before & after pictures.

 

Shops tend to charge about $300 - $500 per piece to paint and install. You got totally ripped off.

One of the local shops here that does some of the best work charged me $350 to paint and install each bumper on my BMW and $250 to install a carbon fiber lip (silicon fit it on).

 

Id discuss the charges to fix his own mistakes and then pay the bill. The bill didn't overly surprise me. I would've also asked for an estimate or at least a rough idea.

Be sure to post some pictures

 

I've been retired for 6 years, but before that I was the owner of an auto repair business with 3 locations here in Calif for 37 years. I'm not familiar with the auto repair laws in your state (Kansas), but here in Calif the repair shop MUST give you a written estimate of the cost of the work to be done, signed by you, BEFORE any work is done!! It doesn't matter whether you asked for the estimate or not. The estimate cannot be exceeded without your signed permission. Just telling you the hourly labor rate is not sufficient. The controlling agency here in Calif is the Dept of Consumer Affairs / Bureau of Auto Repair. Check with your state's controlling agency to find out your rights, before paying this bill. The amount you were charged for the work you say was done seems excessive to me.

Warren

 

Now pay the shop

 

Have you learned enough to get an estimate from a lawyer before you turn him loose????

 

Man up and pay the bill ,