Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-38.3-3. Obligations of motor vehicle repair shop

(1)(i) Upon request of any customer, make an estimate, in writing, of the parts and labor necessary for each specific repair or service offered and not charge for work done or parts supplied in excess of the estimate without the consent of the customer. The repair shop may charge a reasonable fee for making an estimate. The repair shop may elect to apply the estimate fee to services actually performed. The estimate shall contain the following information: the customer's name; the name of the repair shop; the date of the estimate; a list of parts necessary for each specific repair together with the costs for each part, indicating any parts that are not new parts of at least original equipment quality; the labor charge for each repair together with the costs of each labor charge; year and make of vehicle; registration plate number or vehicle identification number; a description of the problem reported by the customer; and a statement informing the customer of his or her right to receive replaced parts if the customer makes a written request for such return. All information on an estimate must be legible;

(ii) Written estimates must indicate the hourly labor charge and how it is computed, i.e., by clock hours or flat rate. If a flat rate, the manual used must be specified. A repair shop may utilize a job rate that which covers both labor and parts on mechanical and electrical repairs costing less than two hundred dollars ($200). When a job rate is used, a list of parts must be included in the estimate and invoice;

(iii) If a flat rate is used, the consumer shall be shown relevant time rates as listed in the manual, on request;

(iv) A customer may not be charged for storage or automotive repair unless notice, in writing, is given. Notice may be given by a statement on an estimate or other document given the customer, by letter or by other written means, that gives the customer actual notice. Storage may not be charged during the period from which the customer has authorized repairs to one business day after the repair shop has notified the customer to pick up the repaired vehicle;

(v) Upon reasonable notice, a customer may remove a vehicle from a repair shop during the shop's business hours upon paying for: (A) labor actually performed; (B) parts actually installed; (C) parts ordered specifically for the customer's car if the order is not cancelable or the parts not returnable for cash or credit; and (D) storage charges imposed in accordance with subsection (1)(iv);