[BBT FAB]

Before you pay a lawyer and start getting things messy I would make sure the shop doing the work is registered as a repair shop (body shop or mechanic shop). Only Repair shops have to follow the "automotive repair act" in Illinois which requires a written estimate.

If they are registered as a restoration shop or anything else for that matter you may be better off trying to work it out with the shop owner.

We have had many builds come in like this from other shops, where the customer says they got screwed (most of the time they did some what only because the quality was lacking)

I agree you never should have gotten 6 invoices at once. Chances are you could have realized with just one it was going to exceed your budget and could have pulled the car at that point.

I have a contract that I have all customers sign before work starts that clearly states in the first line "1. Because of the comprehensive nature of the restoration process, estimates or “bids” of the total cost of a restoration project cannot be given at any time. It is most important that this be understood and accepted. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them. "

There are so many shops doing shady work its unfortunate that your in this situation.