The new rules for home improvement are going to take their toll on contractors and homeowners across the county. For years, homeowners have been able to get away with charging a higher rate for work that was completed on their home because it wasn’t covered by a builder’s warranty. Now the government has introduced legislation that would make all contracts between a homeowner and a home improvement contractor legally binding.
First off, there will be an annual licensing fee that must be paid by any home improvement contractor that is working in California. This fee is based upon the size of the home improvement project and also the contractor’s area of expertise. There are different rates for the different areas of expertise. The minimum wage for an individual home improvement contractor working in Los Angeles would be around $13 an hour. However, if an individual trades in multiple types of projects then he or she will probably be required to pay a much higher rate.
The second rule that will be affecting most homeowners and contractors is the term of the contract. Contractors are not allowed to extend the term of their work in order to get more money out of the homeowner. There is only one term that can be used for a home emerging to the current terms. Any changes that the contractor makes to the work must be reported at this Poirot and also included in the written contract.
Another interesting rule that will affect contractors and homeowners is the stipulation that requires them to only work on a home that is currently inhabitable. The treatment contract and it is 24 months. After this time period, the contractor will have to renew the contract raccoon for this stipulation is to prevent the home improvement contractor from performing work on a home that is considered unoccupied. Basically, a home improvement contractor could be performing some work on a home that has a mortgage on it and is undergoing foreclosure. This may seem odd but it is completely legal. If the mortgage loan is past due and the homeowner is still living in that home, the mortgage lender has the right to sue for foreclosure. By performing work on a home that is not inhabited, a home improvement contractor could get into serious financial trouble.
The final stipulation to the home improvement contract is a no contact rule. Contractors and home-improvement workers are not allowed to make contact with the current or potential buyers of the home that they are working on. In other words, no answering the phone and no visiting the homes that they are working on. This is to protect both the contractor and the homeowners from any type of injury or personal damage that might occur as a result of an unfortunate accident. By not allowing visitors and contractors to come into contact with the homes they are working on, home improvement projects will be much more successful and less likely to end up in court.
The new rule changes are great news for contractors and homeowners alike. The new regulations require much more than simple disagreements between parties. The new rule requires that any home improvement project that is financed through a mortgage must meet strict guidelines. These guidelines are in place to protect everyone involved.