Contractors and Repair Shops in Virginia

No person may engage in, or offer to engage in, contracting work in Virginia without a license issued under the Contractors chapter of the Code (administered by a board within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Home solicitation sales of home improvements are also subject to the three-day cancellation right.

Under the Automobile Repair Facilities Act, if a customer asks before work begins on a repair that may cost more than $25, the shop must give a written estimate of labor and parts costs, a description of the work and the estimated completion time (shops need not prepare estimates before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.). Once an estimate is requested, no repair work beyond needed diagnosis may start until the customer authorizes it in writing or orally, and the final charge may not exceed the estimate by more than 10% (20% for vehicles at least 25 model years old) without the customer's authorization. Shops may charge a reasonable, disclosed fee for estimates. Shops must post a "Customer Rights" sign stating these rights, that replaced parts will be offered back (except warranty, core or trade-in parts), and that complaints can go to the Attorney General's consumer office.