§ 13. Simplified rules for small repairs under NOK 1,500
When you call a tradesperson to your home to fix something, and the whole job costs NOK 1,500 or less, simplified rules apply. The seller does not need to give all the information in writing in advance — their name, contact details and a price estimate are enough. But you must still receive a written confirmation of the whole contract afterwards.
Machine-translated from Norwegian. The Norwegian text is the one that applies. Read the original in Norwegian.Norsk English العربية Polski Українська
The text of the law (unofficial translation)
If the consumer (forbrukeren) expressly requests that repairs or maintenance be carried out, the parties immediately perform their obligations under the contract and the contract sum does not exceed NOK 1,500, it is sufficient that the trader (næringsdrivende) provides the consumer with the information in § 8 first paragraph letter d, cf. § 11 second paragraph, and information about the price or how the price is to be calculated, as well as an estimate of the total price. The information referred to in § 8 first paragraph letters a, h and k may be given orally, if the consumer expressly consents to this.
The confirmation of the contract, cf. § 11 second paragraph, shall contain the information set out in § 8 first paragraph.
What does this mean?
§ 13 recognises that ordinary small jobs do not need the same bureaucracy as large contracts. When you call a tradesperson to fix a tap or replace a washer, it is impractical to demand complete advance information on paper.
Three conditions must be met for the simplified rule to apply:
- You must expressly ask for repairs or maintenance. Not new purchases, not installations, not design or advice. Only repairs and maintenance.
- Both parties perform their obligations immediately. The tradesperson does the job right away, and you pay right away.
- The total amount is NOK 1,500 or less. Including everything — labour, materials, travel costs, VAT. If the job were to cost more, the ordinary rules in § 8 and § 11 apply.
If all three conditions are met, the seller only has to give three things before the job: their full name and contact details, the price or how it is calculated, and an estimate of the total price.
The rest of the information from § 8 — about the right of withdrawal (angrerett), return costs (returkostnader), guarantees (garantier) etc. — can be given orally if you expressly consent.
But: after the job you must still receive a written confirmation containing all the information in § 8. Only the advance information is simplified.
Examples
Petter has a blocked drain in the bathroom. He calls a plumber who says "I can come in an hour, and it will cost around NOK 1,200". Petter says "perfect, come". The plumber comes, fixes the drain in 30 minutes, and Petter pays NOK 1,200. This is classic § 13. The plumber only needed to give his name, contact details and a price estimate in advance. After the job, he sends Petter an invoice/receipt with all the information required by the duty to provide information (opplysningsplikt) under § 8. That is enough.
Anne has a frozen water pipe. She calls a plumber who estimates NOK 1,300. When the job starts, it turns out to be more extensive. The plumber says "this will probably be NOK 4,000". Now the job exceeds NOK 1,500. The simplified rule in § 13 no longer applies. The plumber must follow the ordinary rules in § 8 and § 11 — give her written information about all the terms, including the right of withdrawal, before the work continues.
Common mistakes
- You think a "small job" always means simplified rules. It only does if the whole amount is under NOK 1,500. If you go over the limit, the ordinary rules apply.
- You forget to ask for a receipt. Even under the simplified procedure, you are entitled to a written confirmation afterwards. Ask for a receipt or invoice by email.
- You think "repair" includes anything at all. It does not. Installing new products, design or consultancy work is not "repairs or maintenance". Then the ordinary rules apply.
What should you do?
For small repairs at home:
- Ask for a price estimate before the job starts
- If the estimate is close to NOK 1,500, consider asking for a written contract anyway
- Keep the receipt — it must contain all the § 8 information
- If the job becomes more expensive than estimated along the way, make sure you get written confirmation of the new price
- § 11What the contract must contain in sales at home
- § 8The seller's duty to provide information
- § 12If you want the service to start immediately