A repair quote is the document that describes the work before it is done. Read it as a plain agreement, line by line, because its lines decide what you are authorizing and under what conditions the shop may go beyond it.
What the Quote Is and Is Not
A written estimate states the work the shop expects to do. It is not always a fixed total. Check whether the quote says it is an estimate, whether it sets a point beyond which the shop must call you, and what authorization you are giving when you sign.
The Labor Basis
Labor is often charged from a published time guide rather than the time actually spent. Ask which time basis the shop uses, how much labor each line carries, and whether a diagnosis is billed separately from the repair. Ask what happens if the repair takes longer than the guide allows.
The Parts Source
A quote should say whether parts are new, rebuilt, or aftermarket, and whether the shop is using the original maker's part or an equivalent. Ask whether the old part will be returned to you, and whether the new part carries its own warranty, and where that warranty is honored.
Diagnostic and Teardown Lines
Diagnostic lines are often charged before any repair is agreed. Ask whether the diagnostic line is credited if you approve the repair, and what the shop will do if it finds nothing wrong. A teardown line may appear when a part must be exposed to reach the fault. Ask for that line to be explained before work starts.
Check Whether a Warranty or Contract Applies
Before you approve paid work, ask whether the car is still under factory coverage, whether a service contract is in force, and what the shop must do to make a claim against either. The brand's published terms are the place to check what factory coverage includes and when it ends. For the Acura service contracts terms published on this site, see the Acura service contracts page. Ask the shop to start any claim before paid work begins, and to note the claim decision on the quote.
Authorization and Changes
Keep the quote. If the shop finds more work, ask for a revised written quote before the new work begins, and do not sign a blank authorization. Compare the final total at pick-up against the signed quote and any revision.