You need help repairing or renovating your home. For your own protection, there are a few things you should know before hiring a home improvement contractor (HIC).
First, what is a home improvement contractor?
California State Contractor’s Board protects homeowners/consumers by regulating the construction industry and defines a contractor as anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts home improvement repairs and agrees to perform any home improvement.
In other words, if you receive an offer to build on, repair, or remodel your home for a fee, you’re dealing with a contractor. Whether you own or rent, or if
the dwelling is a co-op or a condo, this is the rule. A contractor may be an individual, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
California State law requires that any person or business that solicits, canvasses, sells, performs, or performs construction work that comes to $500 or more in labor and materials must be licensed by CSLB.
Here are some precautions to follow when dealing with contracts and binding agreements.
A home improvement contract is a legal agreement between a contractor and consumer. Having an agreement written in contract form is one of the most
important communication tools between the licensed contractor and the consumer. It insures there are no misunderstandings about what a job will include and tells how and when the work will be done, what materials will be used and how much it will cost.
Key Points To Remember
- Get it in writing-Should include all specific materials, start date, end date, cost, cost per man hour if additional work is needed.
- Never sign a partially filled in contract.
- Know what your reading and signing.
- Require ‘Change Orders’ for any incidental additional repairs/changes to contract.
- You may cancel 3 days after signing the contract without penalty.
- If financing any repairs, be sure are charges are stated, and agreed on.
- Make sure contractor license is issued to person/company you are dealing with.
- Check insurance, be sure their policy will cover your job description-you may also wish to ask for an “Additionally Insured’ letter specific to your location.
Go directly to the California Contractors License Board to check a license by clicking here