Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need to register with the state as a home improvement contractor?
According to HICPA, a home improvement contractor includes anyone who works on existing
residential properties
(land or buildings) and does "repair, replacement, remodeling,
demolition, removal, renovation, installation, alteration, conversion, modernization,
improvement, rehabilitation or sandblasting" or work on driveways, swimming pools, pool
houses, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, solar energy systems, security
systems, flooring, patios, fences, gazebos, sheds, cabanas, landscaping, placement
of retaining walls, fountains, drainage systems, painting, doors, windows, waterproofing,
HVAC or awnings. If you’re not registered yet, we can help with that, too.
How do I register as a home improvement contractor?
You can register on your own at www.attorneygeneral.gov or we can help with
that process.
If you are in need of assistance, please call 1-800-345-3033.
Do I need a HIC registration number to purchase or produce a HICPA compliant contract?
Yes. Whether you create your own contract or choose to license use of the HICPA
Compliance LLC contract,
you will need to have your HIC registration number.
If I have a registration number do I still need a contract?
Yes. Registering alone is not enough to comply with PA laws and to
protect you against unjustified complaints. You must have both a
registration number and a HICPA compliant contract for each job over $500.
Do I need a HICPA compliant contract for all jobs?
Beginning on July 1, 2009, HICPA will require that you have this contract in
place for use on all projects beginning
July 1 or later that are valued at
$500 or more. This contract must be completed and signed before the job is started.
What happens if I do not have a contract or if my existing contract is not HICPA compliant?
The law says that (1) a disgruntled customer can report a violation to the Attorney General's Office
for prosecution as a crime involving "home improvement fraud," (2) the entire contract is unenforceable
by you if certain clauses appear in the document, AND (3) use of a noncompliant contract is an "unfair
or deceptive act or practice" under Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law,
entitling the customer to seek triple damages plus costs and legal fees.
How can I be sure that my contract is HICPA compliant?
Here are your options for ensuring a HICPA compliant contract:
- Spend hours reviewing the law and attempt to create your own HICPA compliant contract
- Hire an attorney and pay him or her thousands of dollars to write the contract for you
- Find a sample online of an unwieldy, uncustomizable, 20-page (or more) document which
will cost you hundreds of dollars
- You can purchase the right to use the HICPA Compliant Home Improvement Contract
right here, right now
What is the contract offered by HICPA Compliance LLC?
This form contract (6 pages on 4 pieces of paper) was developed by Charles E. Shoemaker, Jr., Esquire,
Yale Law School graduate and Pennsylvania lawyer for over thirty years, and Frank A. Alexander, builder,
home improvement contractor and five-time Past President of the Lehigh Valley Builders Association.
HICPA Compliance LLC's HICPA Compliant Home Improvement Contract contains all of the required contract
provisions and notices in an easy-to-use, contractor-friendly format.
How do I order this contract through HICPA Compliance LLC?
HICPA Compliance LLC offers two options: a customized contract
with your logo and letterhead, or a standard blank form. To order this easy to use contract,
click here.
Why is my license for the HICPA Compliance contract good for only 1 year?
Because the law is going to change (we have spoken with the Attorney General's office and the legislature
is already considering amendments and who knows what court decisions will come down on issues like the
conflicts between HICPA and UTPCPL) during the yearly license period, we will update our licensees and
provide an updated contract as needed. In year 1, our licensees are paying $150 for what a lawyer would
charge $1,000+ just to draft, plus more to update (if the lawyer becomes aware of the need for changes/corrections);
each year after, our licensees pay $150 to annually renew a completely up-to-date contract (what a lawyer would
charge $500+ to review and revise) with ongoing updates throughout each year. The bottom line is that the $150
is the cheapest insurance policy a home improvement contractor can buy to ensure that the contract is legal!
What will it cost to renew my license to use the HICPA Compliance contract for year 2 and thereafter?
You will pay $150. Even if there is an increase in the price for first-time licensees after July 1, 2010, your price will never change.
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