|
|
You can download a color Acrobat (PDF) version of the following info by Clicking Here
Home Improvement Bill of Rights
Preamble: The Contractors State License Board reminds you to exercise your rights and responsibilities when making home improvements. As a California consumer, you have the following rights when working with contractors:
Hiring a Contractor
- You have the right to hire only licensed contractors and to check the license through the Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-CSLB or www.cslb.ca.gov.
- You have the right to review a contractor's past work and to check references.
- You have the right to get at least three bids from licensed contractors before hiring a contractor.
Project Payments
- You have the right to make a down payment of no more than 10 percent of the project price or $1,000, whichever is less.
- You have the right to make payments as work is completed.
- You have the right not to pay cash for home improvement projects.
- You have the right to withhold a final payment until the work agreed to in the contract is completed.
Project Paperwork
- You have the right to require that the contract include one project price, which includes labor and materials.
- You have the right to negotiate a clear contract that includes a written payment schedule and completion date.
- You have the right to review the contract and only sign it when you understand the terms.
- You have the right to require your contractor to obtain a building permit for your project.
Consumer Responsibilities
As a consumer, you have these rights, but you also have the responsibility to properly plan and manage your project and to insist on your rights.
Homeowner's Rights Checklist
Get Educated & Know Your Rights
___ Read the CSLB Home Improvement Bill of Rights on reverse
___ Go to CSLB's Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov and:
___ Read "What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor"
___ Read "Home Improvement Contracts: Putting the pieces together"
Hiring
___ Hire only licensed contractors
___ Ask to see the contractors' CSLB pocket license
___ Get at least three written bids from licensed contractors
___ Verify that all bids are for the same scope of work
___ Check contractors' status with the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov
___ Ask for references and follow up by inspecting the contractor's completed work
The Contract
___ Negotiate a clear and complete written contract
___ Write specific descriptions now to prevent disputes later
___ Verify that your written contract includes:
___ One price for the work to be done
___ Specific descriptions of work and materials to be used
___ Start and completion dates
___ An agreement that the contractor will pull building permits
___ A payment schedule and the legal down payment amount
___ A "Notice to Owner" regarding lien laws
___ A notice whether the contractor carries commercial general liability insurance and the
carrier
___ Insist that all changes, additions and deletions to the contract are in writing
___ Create a job file and keep the written contract, change orders, payment records and all other project documents in it
Payments
___ Pay no more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment*
___ Pay as you go or at completion of the project - don't let payments get ahead of the work
___ Never pay cash
Subcontractors and Liens
___ Make a list of all subcontractors and check their license status at www.cslb.ca.gov
___ Get unconditional lien releases signed by all subcontractors and material suppliers
___ Keep a record of all material deliveries, dates and progress of work
*Pay no more than 2% down or $200 on a swimming pool project
| | | |
WEB SITE UPDATES
Access Plans Online
VBE offers Plans Online. Click Here To Log In Now or contact us for more information.
|
| |