How to know if your Contractor is using proper and legal documentation to endorse a Home Improvement project
Throughout the whole process of dealing with a contractor and planning a project you will go through many phases including:
- Initial contact.
- In home consultation.
- Product selections and design work.
- General scope of work and cost presentation.
Depending on the type of project you are wanting to complete this process can be short and quick or extensive with various selections. Either way, all basis should be covered by the time you’re ready to engage into an agreement. Pennsylvania Home Improvement laws do require contractors to have such a format in their contracts that will follow all of the applicable laws.
A standard contract for Pennsylvania should include that laws and literature required by the state of Pennsylvania are being followed in the documents. First and foremost all names and addresses will be listed for both parties (including the contractor’s license #). A “Scope of Work” document will be provided either in the contract pages or on a separate document. Most times it is easier and more beneficial to keep the actual work details on attached documents for quick and easy reference. In that case, it would be properly noted which documents, drawings etc… are held separately from the main contract.
Financial information in regards to the contract price, down payments and payment schedule will be broken down by section so there is no confusion. A contract will offer you a general start date and overall duration estimate of the work to be completed. Here are some other things that should be listed throughout:
- A full breakdown of insurance.
- Information provided for legal action on Default.
- Disputes, Assurances and Severability.
- You will be provided with a Copy of the contract and all corresponding documents.
- All writing and text print in the contract must be legible.
Last but not least, all information in regards to your Right of Rescission will be provided. By law you have three days to decide if you wish to cancel the transaction. Considering the time both you and your contractor spend to get through all the required steps to endorse a contract it is unlikely for this to happen, however, things may arise to change your decision and that is all a part of life.
Knowing that your selected contractor has all the proper paperwork in order is a definite sign that a project will go smoothly and should be generated to protect both parties. Our contract was prepared and issued by The Dethlefs-Pykosh Law Group, LLC in Camp Hill Pennsylvania. All information in our documents was written by Bryan W. Shook, Esquire who is actually the first known attorney to produce and copyright a contract in compliance with the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Protection Act. This has lead us in the right direction to provide peace of mind for not only our clients but us as well. A strong basis of communication and organized paperwork will provide a successful project.
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