This section defines terms used in the article relating to vessel repairs. A "customer" is someone who asks a repairperson to work on a vessel they have. A "repairperson" is someone who fixes vessels for a living. A "vessel" is any boat or craft that must be registered with the DMV and is used for noncommercial purposes, or is rented or leased for noncommercial use.

This law applies when work is done on a vessel, like a boat or ship, and the estimated cost of that work is $100 or more. If the cost is less, this law doesn't apply.

This law states that a repairperson cannot claim a lien, which is a legal right to keep possession of a vessel until payment is made, for services performed on the vessel unless they follow the specific rules outlined in this article.

This law makes it clear that repairpeople must get permission from customers before doing any work for pay. They need to provide a written or estimated price for labor and parts ahead of time. If more work is needed or parts change, the customer has to agree to it, either verbally or in writing, and this agreement must be noted on the work order and invoice.

If the repairperson has to take something apart to estimate repairs, they must tell the customer the cost of disassembly and any parts that might be destroyed during the process and put this information in writing on a work order. They must inform the customer about the maximum time for reassembly if the customer decides not to proceed. They cannot take more time than they said they would. If repairs are approved, they must provide a new estimate and get customer permission before proceeding.

If the customer can't bring the item in during business hours, but wants the repairperson to pick it up, the repairperson must prepare a work order with the estimated costs and get customer approval over the phone or by some other method before starting work. If the approval is verbal, details of the conversation should be documented.

If a repairperson provides a genuine estimate for a job but then discovers more work is needed that wasn't anticipated, they don't have to finish the job for the original price if the customer won't agree to pay for the extra work.

Repairpeople must give an invoice for all the work they do, including warranty work. The invoice has to list what work was done and what parts were used. Work and parts must be shown separately on the invoice with their prices listed separately too. If any sales tax applies, that needs to be listed separately as well. If used, rebuilt, or reconditioned parts are used, the invoice must clearly say so. If a part consists of both new and old parts, that also has to be mentioned. The customer gets one copy of the invoice, and the repairperson keeps another.

This law says that when a repairperson gives you an invoice, it needs to include their business name and address. If their phone number is included, it must match the one they use in ads or on signs, and the same number should be listed in the phone book or official records.

This law allows repairpeople to work on a vessel using a time and materials approach if they get approval from the customer for that specific job. This means repairs are charged based on the hours worked and the materials used.

This law says that if a boat is in distress and urgently needs repair to stay safe, you don't need to get permission before starting the work. However, if the problem was caused by the repairperson's mistakes or actions, this rule does not apply.