In an effort to protect homeowners, California has set out extensive requirements for the form and content of home improvement contracts.  California Business and Professions Code Section 7159 sets out these requirements in painstaking, and sometimes pain-inducing, levels of detail.  The unfortunate result for contractors tends to be confusion and avoidance.

Many contractors operate with noncompliant contracts, or have no formal contract and simply operate on the basis of a bid submission.  The consequences of doing so can include disciplinary action by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), fines, and an unenforceable agreement.  It is worth the time and effort for a contractor to bring his or her contracts into compliance.  To that end, the following is an attempt to cover many of the requirements of Section 7159, although this list is by no means exhaustive.

When is a Contract Necessary?

In general, a home improvement contract is needed for repairs or alterations to residential property.  According to California Business and Professions Code Section 7151, this includes “the construction, erection, replacement, or improvement of driveways, swimming pools, including spas and hot tubs, terraces, patios, awnings, storm windows, landscaping, fences, porches, garages, fallout shelters, basements, and other improvements of the structures or land which is adjacent to a dwelling house.”  A very broad range of construction activity is thus covered.  Section 7159 does not apply to new construction or projects under $500, however.

Basic Contract Requirements

As to basic format, any writing in the contract must be legible.  Type must be no less than 10-point anywhere, with 12-point type being required in certain places.  The contract must say “Home Improvement” in 10-point type.  The first page of the contract must indicate the date the buyer signed the contract.  The first page must also indicate the name and address of the contractor, following a statement indicating that this is the address to which a notice of cancellation should be sent.

The contractor must give a copy of the agreement, signed and dated by both parties, to the homeowner before work begins.  Accordingly, the contract must contain the following statement in 12-point type: “You are entitled to a completely filled in copy of this agreement, signed by both you and the contractor before work is started.”  Similarly, change orders can only be incorporated into the contract if in writing and signed prior to work beginning.  The contract must include the overall price, finance charges if any, and a description of the project and materials to be used, with separate headings for all three.  As with all construction contracts, the contractor must include their license number.

A heading must be included for the approximate date of commencement, followed by the approximate date of commencement, with a statement explaining what constitutes substantial commencement.  A separate heading for completion is required, followed by an approximate date of completion.

What Must Be Said About Payments

If a down payment will be charged, there must be a down payment heading followed by space to indicate the amount of the down payment.  This must be followed in 12-point, boldface type with: “THE DOWN PAYMENT MAY NOT EXCEED $1,000 OR 10 PERCENT OF THE CONTRACT PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS.”

If progress payments are to be charged, there must be a heading for them, and a list of payments to be made in dollars and cents with reference to corresponding work and materials.  The section must contain the following notice: “The schedule of progress payments must specifically describe each phase of work, including the type and amount of work or services scheduled to be supplied in each phase, along with the amount of each proposed progress payment.  IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED, OR FOR MATERIALS NOT YET DELIVERED.  HOWEVER, A CONTRACTOR MAY REQUIRE A DOWNPAYMENT.”  The contract must also explain that a lien release must be made for progress payments before any additional payments can be required.

Other Notice Requirements

Section 7159 also spells out various notice requirements.  Contractors must indicate whether they carry liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.  A CSLB notice including contact information and available services is also required.  The HIC must also make clear the homeowner’s right to cancel within a certain number of days.  For contracts negotiated at the home, there is a 3 day right to cancel, or (new in 2021) a five day right to cancel for senior citizens.  For property destroyed in a sudden or catastrophic emergency for which a state of emergency is declared, the window to cancel is 7 days.  The possibility of a mechanics lien being placed on the property must also be spelled out, and with specific language provided in Section 7159.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please do not hesitate to contact Kirk Rodby at The Green Law Group, LLP.

Please note that this article is only intended to provide some general educational information. For your particular legal questions, be sure and consult with an attorney.

Kirk Rodby
(805) 306-1100 ext. 118
kirk@thegreenlawgroup.com