Jul 1, 2009 5:12 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: New Home Contractor Registry In PA
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Are you handy around your house? If not, then you most likely have to hire people when a project is beyond your ability. But how can you be sure you won't get ripped off? As we continue to help you Survive in '09, Your Money Team knows that finding qualified contractors isn't always a snap. But as 3-On Your Side's Jim Donovan reports, Pennsylvania has made that a bit easier.
Beginning today home improvement contractors that do business in Pennsylvania must be registered with the state. There are also new minimum insurance requirements, specific items that have to be included in contracts, and a criminal penalty has now been created for home improvement fraud.
The law covers construction, replacement, or improvement of anything from drive ways and swimming pools to roofing, painting and waterproofing jobs. Consumers can now check out home improvement contractors in advance of hiring them, by visiting a website operated by the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office.
From here on out, the following items must be included in a Pennsylvania home improvement contract
- the contractors registration number
- a description of the work along with approximate start and completion dates.
- name, telephone number and address of the contractor and subcontractors,.
- total sales price.
- amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor.
- a notice of the consumer's rights to rescind the contract.
If those items aren't included in the contract then the contract isn't enforceable. This new registry requirement covers contractors that do more than 5,000 worth of work in a calendar year. New Jersey has had a similar law in place for several years now.
For more information visit the links below:
RELATED LINKS:
Pennsylvania Law
New Jersey Law
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