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How our estimates work

Every repair gets a digital inspection — pad thickness, fluid color, tire tread — photographed and texted to your phone with a line-by-line price for parts and labor before any work starts. You tap what gets fixed. The bill matches.

Two numbers, and why

An honest range to plan around, then an exact estimate you approve before a wrench turns.

Up front

A ballpark range

Tell us your vehicle and what's going on and we'll give you an honest range to plan around — over the phone or through the Web Advisor. It's a starting point, not the final bill.

From the shop

The exact, itemized estimate

After we put eyes and tools on the car, the shop builds the real estimate — parts and labor, line by line — and texts it to your phone. You approve it before any work starts.

Get your ballpark now

Tell the Web Advisor your vehicle and what's going on — you'll get an honest range in about a minute, and you can get on the schedule right here.

How we build your estimate

  1. 1

    We inspect the car. A digital inspection checks the things that wear and fail — brake pad thickness, fluid color, tire tread, belt condition — and we photograph what we find.

  2. 2

    You see the photos. The inspection — pictures and all — goes to your phone, so you're looking at the same worn pad or leaking hose we are. No "trust us."

  3. 3

    You get a line-by-line price. Every item is quoted separately — parts and labor — so you can see exactly what each repair costs. No lump sums, no mystery "shop fees."

  4. 4

    You tap to approve or decline. Greenlight everything, or just the brakes and skip the rest. Nothing happens until you say so — and the final bill matches what you approved.

What's in an itemized estimate

Every estimate breaks the job down so there's nothing to wonder about.

  • Each repair, separately. Brakes, battery, oil — each is its own line you can approve or skip.
  • Parts and labor split out. You see the part price and the labor time on every line — not blended into one number.
  • OEM-spec parts named. We tell you what's going on the car, not just "a part."
  • The warranty, stated. 24 months / 24,000 miles on parts and labor — on the estimate, not buried in fine print.

Already have a quote? Bring it.

Got an estimate from the dealer or another shop and it feels high — or you're just not sure what half of it means? Bring it in. We'll walk it line by line, tell you what actually needs doing now versus what can wait, and quote it our way. A second opinion costs you nothing but the drive over.

Book a second-opinion check →

  • Photos to your phone
  • Tap-to-approve estimate
  • 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty
  • No commission upsells

Ready for your estimate?

Book an appointment online and we'll get your vehicle inspected and your itemized estimate texted over. Open Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sunday: Closed.

Estimate questions

How much will my repair cost?

It depends on the vehicle and what's wrong, so we give you two numbers. First, an honest ballpark range up front — over the phone or through the Web Advisor — so you can plan. Then, after we inspect the car, the exact itemized estimate (parts and labor, line by line) is texted to your phone before any work starts.

What is an itemized estimate?

It's the repair broken into separate lines — each job priced on its own, with parts and labor split out, instead of one lump sum. You see exactly what each repair costs and what part is going on the car. You can approve everything or just the lines you want.

Does it cost anything to get an estimate?

No. You get the ballpark for free, and the itemized estimate is sent to your phone with no obligation to approve it. You decide what gets fixed — there's no charge just to see the number.

Can I approve just some of the work?

Yes. Every item is its own line. Greenlight the brakes and skip the rest, or do it all — your call. We don't start anything you haven't approved, and the final bill matches what you tapped yes on. No surprise add-ons.

Will the final bill match the estimate?

Yes. You approve the itemized estimate before any work begins, and that's what you pay. If we find something extra once we're in there, we stop, photograph it, and send it to you for approval first — we never just add it.

Can I bring an estimate from another shop or the dealer?

Absolutely. Bring a dealer or shop estimate and we'll walk it line by line — tell you what actually needs doing now versus what can wait, and quote it our way. A second opinion costs you nothing but the drive over.

What's covered by the warranty?

Parts and labor are backed by a 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty. It's stated right on your estimate, not buried in fine print. We're open Mon–Sat: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sunday: Closed if you want to ask about a specific repair — call (650) 638-1791.
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