Recently Pennsylvania enacted a new Contracting law. I fought hard for this. I emailed all State Senators and most Congressmen. Its the least they can do to protect you as a consumer. It requires anyone doing remodel work over five hundred dollars to have the state issued Contractors license. As this is a step in the right direction, it lacks in certain stability; you as a consumer can save your home or business. Before you enter into a contract with any contractor regardless of size, make sure that contractor has Insurance. General Liability which releases you from any claims by Neighbors, utilities and any situation that arises from the scope of work by the Contractor. Require that they have their Insurance carrier issue you a release certificate of any damages responsibility. Workers Compensation claims if the contractor is not covered you are responsible. Make sure the contractor issues you Release forms signed and notarized. Labor release, Material release, and all subcontractors shall provide these release forms before any payments are made. Have the contractor issue you a progress schedule accompanied by a completion bond. If that contractor does not perform because of his skills, or lack there of, that bonding company is liable to complete the job. Remember these words, the first three letters of their name is CON as in contractor. They may have done work for years and had no problems, so do not be the first. Today’s economy does not insure they will be around, and litigations take time especially when the outside is exposed to the inside of your home.
Ed McGarvey
Hooversville