Pennsylvania contractors must register with state attorney general

Last year, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act as a way to help state residents avoid problems with shady home-improvement contractors as well as to impose criminal penalties on pros who commit fraud. The law goes into effect on July 1.

As part of the legislation, contractors who perform $5,000 or more a year in jobs are required to register with the state attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection, keep minimum insurance coverage, and use contracts that contain the start date and completion date of a project, a description of work being performed, and the clients' legal rights.

Contractors in the Keystone State must register by July 1; they can register online and get a license number issued by the end of the day. Consumers can also visit the same site to check whether a contractor has registered.

With home contractors regularly atop lists of consumer complaints, as they are in Westchester County, New York, Pennsylvania is one of several states attempting to crack down on fraud. Last fall, New York State launched the Know Your Contractor Web site so consumers can avoid getting ripped off by home-improvement pros.

Sears recently debuted the ServiceLive Web site that allows you to search for contactors, check their compliance with licensing and insurance requirements, and read or submit user reviews, similar to Angie's List.—Gian Trotta

Essential Information: When you're planning a project at your home. Use our advice to choose a contractor and avoid common kitchen and bathroom remodeling mistakes. Also visit the Contractor's License Reference Site to see license requirements for each state.

Comments

[Pennsylvania Dating]

This will be a good process to evaluate their projects, this will also give them chances to be advertised by the government. I think they will be supported on health care and safety.. That is a Plus..