Mechanic Estimate Template: What a Quote Needs

A mechanic estimate lists the vehicle, each repair line with labor and parts priced, the trip fee, supplies and tax, the total, your terms, and a way for the customer to approve it. Lines you leave off are money you argue about later.

Skip the template, build the estimate

Type the job, pick labor by the hour or flat, add parts, and send a clean estimate the customer approves from their phone. Free, no account needed to try it.

Open the estimate builder

The lines techs forget

Trip fee. If it is not on the estimate it is not getting paid.

Diag time, when you spent it.

Shop supplies and disposal.

Sales tax on parts (and on labor in the states that tax it).

Terms: payment due at completion, card fee if you pass it on, warranty, customer supplied parts policy.

Write it so a stranger understands it

Name the job in plain words, then the part. "Replace front brake pads and rotors" beats a part number. The customer is approving a fix, not a SKU. Keep each repair as its own line so they can say yes to the brakes and no to the wipers without a new estimate.

Make approval one tap

A PDF they have to print, sign and photograph does not get signed. Send a link, let them tap approve on their phone, and keep the record with the job. Faster yes, better paper trail.

Run the whole job from your phone.

Repair Rocket writes the quote, gets the signature, sends the invoice and takes the payment. Free to start, no card needed.

Start free Open the estimate builder

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Common questions

What should an auto repair estimate include?

Vehicle info, each repair as a line with labor and parts, trip fee, supplies, tax, total, your terms, and a way to approve it in writing.

Is an estimate legally binding?

Once approved it is the agreed price for the agreed work. Some states cap how far a final bill can go over an approved estimate without new approval, so re-approve any added work.

Should I charge for estimates?

A phone ballpark is free. If you have to drive out and test to give a real number, that is a diag and it gets billed.

How fast should I send the estimate?

Before you leave the driveway if you can. The longer a customer waits, the more they shop it.