i paid in advanced to not let the bill stack on me some told me it wouldnt be cheap since not every craiglist mexhanic will take in my 85 gn
take a look at the Texas legislation regarding the Consumers Protection. You'll see that you won't have to pay in advance to make sure the bill is higher than what they quoted...
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/car-repairs
Authorization To Begin Repair Work
You may be asked to sign both the authorization to inspect and the authorization to commence repair work at the same time. The authorizations may be on the same piece of paper, but they should require a separate signature. Read each one carefully before signing.
The authorization to commence repairs should also include the date and time that you signed the form. If you decide to have repairs made, make sure the initial work order clearly specifies all of the following information:
- the repair work to be done,
- the specified fee for the specified work which includes the price for the parts, the price for the labor, the fee for storage, and any other charges,
- an indication of whether the replacement parts will be new or rebuilt, and whether there will be a charge for the "core" of parts such as alternators or starters which you may wish to keep,
- the date by which repairs will be completed,
- the terms of any warranty, including the duration of the warranty, the parts and labor warranted, and the exclusions of the warranty,
- an indication of whether the repairs will be paid for in cash, by check, by credit card, or through any another form of financing;
- if the repairs are to be financed, the terms of payment, including the loan approval from the financing company and the amount of the down payment, the dates for payment, all financing terms including the amount financed, the annual percentage rate, the monthly payment, and the number of monthly payments;
- an indication that all parts which will be replaced or removed from the vehicle during the repair will be saved and placed in a plastic bag in the trunk of the vehicle, or else that they will be identified and exchanged for new parts;
- your signature approving the commencement of repair work and the method of payment.