| Description | Qty | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor — Replace front brake pads and rotors | 1.6 hr | $120.00 | $192.00 |
| Ceramic front brake pads | 1 | $89.00 | $89.00 |
| Front brake rotor | 2 | $74.00 | $148.00 |
Estimate valid for 30 days. Additional work will not be done without your approval.
Tip: in the print dialog choose “Save as PDF” to email it. What you type stays in your browser; only the VIN is sent out, to look up the vehicle.
Order jobs by safety: brakes, tires and steering first, maintenance that can wait last. When customers can see what's urgent and what's “soon”, they approve the urgent work and often book the rest for next visit. Note the “soon” items on the estimate — they're your next appointment.
Do a quick multi-point inspection on every car. The free vehicle inspection checklist covers 34 points. Anything marked red or yellow becomes a line on the estimate.
When the customer approves, turn the estimate into a repair order for the tech and, when the car is done, an invoice.
In many states, yes — especially above a dollar threshold or when the customer asks. Several states also require the customer's authorization before you exceed the estimate. Check your state's consumer protection or automotive repair bureau.
Thirty days is common because parts prices move. Put the time limit in the notes so it's clear.
Shops use the words loosely. An estimate is your best expected price; a quote is usually treated as a fixed price. If you write “quote”, be ready to honor it.
Show them what you saw. A photo of the worn pad or the leaking hose does more than any description. Digital inspection tools like RepairSlip send the photos and estimate together, and the customer approves each job from their phone.
Send the estimate with photos and get the yes by text.
RepairSlip keeps every estimate, inspection and invoice in one place, and texts the customer a link to approve. $19 a month for the whole shop.