OUR POLICIES

Service Policy

Service Area & Workspace Requirements To provide you with the best mobile service, please ensure the following conditions are met prior to our arrival: Sufficient Space: We require a safe, flat work area. For apartments or offices, please ensure there is at least one dedicated parking spot for our service van or a nearby street spot. For residential homes, a driveway or street spot is required.
Permit & Permissions: Please verify with your HOA, apartment management, or office building that mobile automotive work is permitted on-site. Any fines or access issues are the responsibility of the vehicle owner.
Weather Policy: Your safety and our quality of work are priorities. In cases of severe weather (heavy rain, snow, or extremely low temperature), we reserve the right to reschedule your appointment. We will notify you at least 24 hours in advance if weather conditions require a change. If we cannot perform the service due to space or property rules, your deposit may be forfeited.
Photo Documentation Consent* Our technicians photograph your vehicle before and after service to document its condition. By booking service, you consent to this photo documentation, which we keep for our records and may use to support warranty or damage claims. Your photos are never shared publicly or used in marketing without your separate written permission.
Privacy: We collect only the information needed to provide service: your name, contact details, vehicle information, and service history. We do not sell your information to anyone. We keep service records for warranty and business purposes. To request removal of your information from our records, contact us at (224) 730-3541 or curbsidecarcareinc@gmail.com.
Authority to Authorize Work: By booking service, you confirm that you own the vehicle or are authorized by the owner to approve the requested work and to pay for it. If you schedule service for a vehicle you do not own, you accept full responsibility for all charges.
Dispute Resolution: These policies are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois. If a dispute arises that we cannot resolve together directly, both sides agree to first attempt mediation in the Chicago area before pursuing other remedies. Any legal action must be brought in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois.

Cancelation Policy

All bookings require a deposit ($50 or 10%, whichever is greater). You may cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before your visit. Cancellations made within the 24-hour window are non-refundable. Failure to present for your appointment without notice will result in the loss of your deposit. We appreciate your cooperation!

Payment Terms

Due Upon Completion: Full payment is required immediately upon completion of the service. We accept payment methods: Credit, Debit, Zelle, Cash
No "Net-30": We do not offer billing or delayed payment terms for individual residential services.
Unpaid Invoives & Interest: Payment is due by the due date shown on your invoice. Any balance unpaid after the due date will accrue interest at 9% per year (0.75% per month), calculated from the day after the due date until the balance is paid in full.

Estimates & The "10% Rule"

Initial Estimates: All quotes provided via phone, text, or email are preliminary estimates based on the information provided by the customer.
The 10% Buffer: If, upon physical inspection or during the repair, the technician discovers that the cost of parts or labor will exceed the original estimate by more than 10%, we will pause work and seek customer approval before proceeding.
Binding Agreement: By authorizing the repair, the customer agrees to pay the final invoice, including any approved cost increases.

Diagnostic Fee

Minimum Service Fee: If you book us to "find a problem" rather than perform a specific repair, a Diagnostic Fee of $85 applies (covers travel and 1hr of diagnostics).
Labor Credit: If you choose to have the recommended repair performed by us during the same visit (or within 7 days), we will apply 50% of the diagnostic fee toward the labor cost of that repair.
No-Fix/No-Start: If a vehicle cannot be repaired due to parts availability or the customer choosing not to proceed, the Diagnostic Fee remains due in full to cover the technician's time and travel.

Parts & Labor Warranty

Labor: We offer a 12 months / 12000-mile warranty on our labor. If an issue arises directly related to the workmanship of the service performed, we will return to inspect and rectify it at no cost.
Parts: Parts are covered solely by the manufacturer’s warranty (6 months / 6000mi for aftermarket parts, 12 months / 12000mi for OEM parts) .
Customer-Supplied Parts: We do not provide a warranty on any parts provided by the customer. If a customer-supplied part is defective or incorect, the customer is still responsible for the full labor cost of the installation and any subsequent removal/re-installation.
Implied Warranty Disclaimer: Except for the express Parts & Labor Warranty stated above, our services and parts are provided "as is." To the fullest extent allowed by Illinois law, we disclaim all implied warranties, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Liability & Work Environment

Property Damage: While we take every precaution to protect the workspace, we are not liable for pre-existing stains, oil leaks, or minor pavement indentations (e.g., from jack stands) on driveways or parking lots.
Hazardous Conditions: We reserve the right to refuse service if the work area is deemed unsafe, unstable (soft ground/steep inclines), or if the technician is subjected to a hostile environment.
*Limitation of Liability* To the maximum extent permitted by law, Curbside Car Care's total liability for any service — including any claim related to parts, labor, or the condition of your vehicle — is limited to the total amount you paid for that service. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including loss of vehicle use, rental car costs, towing costs beyond the service itself, or lost income.

Service Scope & Limitations Policy
(What we do not do)

Major Repairs & Powertrain Overhauls

We do not perform heavy-duty mechanical overhauls or major component replacements. Our mobile units are not equipped for:

Engine or Transmission Swaps: Complete removal and replacement of engines or transmissions.

Internal Component Repair: Any repair requiring the "splitting" or opening of the engine block or transmission housing.

Deep Diagnostics: Services that require keeping an engine or transmission disassembled for extended periods for internal inspection.

Time-Consuming & "Open-Case" Projects

To prevent your vehicle from being left inoperable or exposed to the elements, we do not take on projects that:

Involve leaving a vehicle disassembled while waiting for specialized parts.

Require more than a single business day of continuous labor on-site.

Risk leaking significant internal fluids that cannot be safely contained in a mobile environment.

Why We Have This Policy

Vehicle Mobility: We want to ensure your car remains mobile or easily towable. We never want to leave your vehicle "torn down" in a driveway or parking lot.

Environmental Safety: Mobile environments aren't ideal for exposing internal engine components to dust, debris, or moisture.

Efficiency: By focusing on "Light-to-Medium" repairs (brakes, sensors, starters, cooling systems, etc.), we can serve more customers and provide faster turnaround times.

Not sure if your repair fits? If you are experiencing a major mechanical failure, we are happy to provide a preliminary diagnostic to confirm the issue and recommend a trusted local shop that specializes in heavy-duty engine or transmission work.

Pre-Existing Damage

Our technicians perform a quick walk-around and photo documentation of the vehicle before starting work. We are not responsible for pre-existing scratches, dents, or mechanical issues unrelated to the specific repair being performed.