California BAR updates ‘Write it Right’ guide on estimates

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has updated its “Write It Right” guide, which it says clarifies existing requirements and reflects new regulations.

According to a notification from BAR, updates include:

• • Mobile repair invoices – An invoice for mobile automotive repairs must include the address or location where the repairs were performed.
  • Teardown estimates – Estimates must describe the general area(s) or component(s) to be disassembled. An itemized list of every part to be removed is not required.
  • Paint and materials costs – New guidance explains two acceptable ways to estimate paint and materials costs.

The guide provides an example of a proper teardown estimate for a front-end collision: “Front of vehicle” is acceptable, while “area of damage” is not acceptable.

BAR states in the updated guidance that it’s acceptable for shops to estimate collision repair paint and materials costs by either an hourly rate for paint operations or the actual cost of what’s used.

A new teardown regulatory action from BAR took effect on July 1, 2025, to:

• • Add and amend definitions related to disclosure requirements;
  • Clarify estimate requirements for a teardown;
  • Set documentation requirements for the use of third-party estimates;
  • Require third-party payor amounts on the estimate, or a notice if the amount is unknown; and
  • Require towing service fees to be provided to the customer and authorized separately from the repair estimate.

Article 1, Section 3303, and Article 7, Sections 3352 and 3353 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations were amended by the action.

Changes to Section 3352 require repair work to be performed in a single transaction with a statement of each repair to be performed and a description of each repair provided in a manner free of technical and industry terms that a person without professional knowledge would understand.

Changes to Section 3353 (1)(E) require third-party payors to be notified if the customer authorizes changes to the repair before repair work can continue.

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has announced that during its open meeting on Jan. 20 in Palm Springs, California, it will be joined by BAR Chief Patrick Dorais and BAR Chief/Deputy Chief Bill Thomas. SCRS has invited industry members — especially California collision repair businesses — to attend the in-person opportunity to engage in important industry issues.

During last year’s open meeting, SCRS welcomed BAR officials to discuss regulations on teardown disclosures, storage and towing fees in the state.

This year, Dorais and Thomas will provide an update on the proposed storage-rule regulations and the results of the 45-day public comment period, which concluded on Dec. 31. They will discuss the feedback received, how comments shaped the current rule language, and the expected next steps in the regulatory process. The session will include interactive discussion and Q&A with the audience.

The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) has also updated its agenda for the upcoming meeting on Jan. 21 at the same venue. The CIC Estimating Committee will review updates from information providers that introduce fundamental shifts in how complex labor and not-included operations are documented. In the context of writing a proper repair plan, failing to understand and adapt to these new procedural rules means leaving necessary operations on the table and risking incomplete repair plans.

See the full CIC schedule here.

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