Is a service shop required by either Federal or State (Florida specifically) law to get a customer's approval prior to incurring any repair costs in excess of $100?

I can’t speak to the great state of Florida, but Kommiefornia has the Bureau of Automotive Repair which licenses shops. They have rules about giving quotes and getting approvals. They also have an 800 number, from recollection it is posted (or at least used to be) on signs in the shops. Shops really don’t like it when customers call the BAR, particularly when they know they’re in the wrong.

You might check to see if Florida has a similar bureaucracy that licenses automotive repair shops.

Regulated by state. The example given of California's BAR is one of the stricter ones. Check your state laws or applicable agency.

The link below is from the business’s standpoint, but may still be relevant. Specifically, the “How is repair work authorized?” and “Can work be done in excess of the work listed on the written estimate/work order?” questions.

View frequently asked questions from businesses about the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act.

I suspect that would be a civil issue, rather than criminal issue.

Michigan law requires a estimate of repairs if the amount is over twenty dollars. And repairs cannot exceed the estimate given by more than ten percent unless additionally authorized by the customer.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

View frequently asked questions from businesses about the Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act.

Looks like the max is $50.

From the link

Can work be done in excess of the work listed on the written estimate/work order?

You may not exceed the amount of the written estimate by more than $10 or 10 percent, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $50 without the written or oral consent of the customer. It is suggested that specific notes of the additional authorization be added to the written estimate/work order.