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It also covers start and completion dates with allowance for reasonable delays, permit responsibility, liability and workers’ compensation proof, warranty terms, cleanup and debris removal details, a right to cancel clause, and practical tips for verifying the contract’s contents.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/a-consumers-guide-to-home-improvement-contracts-what-to-know-before-signing/263200/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/a-consumers-guide-to-home-improvement-contracts-what-to-know-before-signing/263200.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Noah","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-19","2026-09-14",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",8,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"What key information must be included in a home improvement contract before signing?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"The contract should include the company’s name, address, phone number, the builder/contractor’s full name and license number, and the salesperson’s full name. 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Be sure to include all payments to subcontractors and suppliers as well.  \nTHE WORK START AND COMPLETION DATES.  \nAllow for any reasonable delays. This should also include a clause that allows for you to withhold payment if work slows down for no apparent reason.  \nREQUIRE A SIGNED CONTRACT  \nA STATEMENT OF PERMIT RESPONSIBILITY.  \nClearly indicate that all required building permits and variances required by your city, state, and county will be obtained by the contractor before any work begins.  \nA GUARANTEE OF LIABILITY COVERAGE.  \nObtain proof that the contractor carries liability insurance and has Workers’ Compensation coverage to protect you in case of accidents on the job.  \nA STATEMENT OF WARRANTY ON THE WORK.  \nBe sure it indicates that the labor and materials are guaranteed and for how long. Include the names and addresses of the parties honoring the warranties.  \nA STATEMENT OF DETAILS.  \nThis should include what cleanup and removal of debris and materials will be done by the contractor and when. It should also provide instructions regarding pets, children, or areas where materials may not be stored.  \nA RIGHT TO CANCEL CLAUSE.  \nDetail the time frame in which you may cancel after the contract has been signed along with any penalties that you may incur when canceling after work has begun.  \nADDITIONAL  \nTIPS RESOURCES  \nWhat does your contract SAY?  \nThis important information can save you from unnecessary financial and emotional loss.  \nWhat exactly is a CONTRACT?  \nA contract is a written agreement between two or more people. A contract is legally binding when signed by all parties.  \nBefore any work begins on your project, follow these few steps to ensure that your contract contains the necessary information needed to protect you should serious questions or a dispute arise between you and your contractor.  \nFEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY  \n800.621.3362 [www.fema. gov](www.fema. gov)  \nBETTER BUSINESS BUREAU  \n703.276.0100 [www. bbb. org](www. bbb. org)  \nFEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION  \n202.326.2222 [www.ftc. gov](www.ftc. gov)  \nSTATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES  \n844.872.4681  \n[www. usa.gov/state-consumer](www. usa.gov/state-consumer)  \nNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL  \n202.326.6000 [www. na ag. org](www. na ag. org)  \nT H I S VA L U A B L E I N F O R M AT I O NI S P R O V I D E D C O U RT E SY O F :  \nMISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD OF CONTRACTORS  \n2679 CRANE RIDGE DRIVE SUITE C  \nJACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39216 PHONE 601.354.6161 FAX 601.354.6715  \nW W W . M S B O C . U S  \nNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE CONTRACTORS LICENSING AGENCIES  \n23309 N 17TH DR, SUITE 110 PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85027  \nPHONE 623.587.9354  \nEMAIL [info@nasc la. org](info@nasc la. org)  \nW W W . N A S C L A . O R G","cbCaisgnLE1nNQJ3","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaisgnLE1nNQJ3","pdf",5170726,"English","# What information should be in your contract before you sign?\n## The contractor’s complete information\n## A detailed description of the work\n## The total contract price\n## A payment schedule and retention\n## Work start and completion dates\n# What to require in the contract\n## Require a signed contract\n## Statement of permit responsibility\n## Guarantee of liability coverage\n## Statement of warranty on the work\n## Statement of details\n## A right to cancel clause\n# Additional tips and resources\n## What exactly is a contract?\n## Federal and consumer protection resources","[{\"question\":\"What key information must be included in a home improvement contract before signing?\",\"answer\":\"The contract should include the company’s name, address, phone number, the builder/contractor’s full name and license number, and the salesperson’s full name. It should also describe the work in detail.\"},{\"question\":\"How should the payment schedule be structured in the contract?\",\"answer\":\"The payment schedule should parallel the amount of work completed and include a retention percentage withheld until the job is finished. It should also list payments to subcontractors and suppliers.\"},{\"question\":\"What protections should the contract include regarding permits, liability, and warranties?\",\"answer\":\"It should clearly state that the contractor obtains all required permits and variances, provide proof of liability insurance and Workers’ Compensation coverage, and include warranty terms for labor and materials with the parties honoring them.\"}]","A CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTS - What to Know Before Signing | PDF",1789367833]