Appliance repair; written estimate; fee; service call charge; combination of written estimate with final bill.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and before repairing, servicing, or performing maintenance on an appliance, a service dealer shall make a written estimate of the cost of the repair, service, or maintenance. The written estimate shall comply with subsection (2). The customer shall approve the estimate by signing the estimate, verbally approving the estimate via the telephone, or by any other equivalent method. If the customer approves the estimate by means of a telephone call or other equivalent method, the service dealer shall so indicate on the estimate and shall, if possible, obtain the customer's signature on the estimate at a later time. A service dealer shall not charge in excess of 110% of the amount noted in the written estimate unless the service dealer receives the verbal or written permission of the customer. (2) A written estimate or attached documentation shall provide all of the following: (a) The service dealer's name, mailing address, and telephone number. If the service dealer's mailing address is not a street address, then the street address of the service dealer. (b) A description of the problem requiring service, repair, or maintenance or the maintenance procedure desired by the customer. (c) Any charge for labor to be performed or parts to be installed, each stated separately. The estimate shall state the hourly rate, if any, or flat rate by which the labor charge is determined. (d) The cost for removing the appliance from and returning the appliance to the customer's premises, if applicable. (3) A service dealer may charge a fee, as indicated in the written estimate, for any labor performed in examining the appliance and diagnosing any problems. If the appliance would require dismantling as part of the diagnosis, the service dealer shall include in the written estimate of the cost of dismantling and reassembling the appliance and the cost, if any, of any parts that would be destroyed or rendered inoperable by the dismantling and reassembly of the appliance. (4) This act does not prohibit a service dealer from charging for a service call. (5) This act does not prohibit a service dealer from combining the written estimate with the final bill described in section 5 into the same document.