Home Improvement Sample Contract - Massachusetts

Massachusetts Home Improvement Sample Contract

This form satisfies all basic requirements of the state's Home Improvement Contractor Law (MGL chapter 142A), but does not include standard

language to protect homeowners. Seek legal advice if necessary. Any person planning home improvements should first obtain a copy of "A

Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Home Improvement" before agreeing to any work on your residence. You may obtain a free copy by calling the

Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation's Consumer Information Hotline at 617-973-8787 or 1-888-283-3757 or on our website.

Homeowner Information Contractor Information

Name Company Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address (do not use a Post Office Box address) Contractor/ Salesperson/ Owner Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/Town State Zip Code Business Address (must include a street address)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Daytime Phone Evening Phone City/Town State Zip Code

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address (It different from above) Business Phone Federal Employer ID or S.S. Number

Home Improvement Contractor Reg. Number Expiration date

Law requires that most home

improvement contractors have

a valid registration number

The Contractor agrees to do the following work for the Homeowner:

(

Describe in detail the work to completed, specifying the type, brand, and grade of materials to be used, use additional sheets if necessary.)

Required Permits - The following building permits are required Proposed Start and Completion Schedule - The following schedule will

and will be secured by the contractor as the homeowner's agent: be adhered to unless circumstances beyond the contractor's control arise

(Owners who secure their own permits will be

excluded from the Guaranty Fund provisions of

____________Date when contractor will begin contracted work.

MGL chapter

142A.)

____________Date when contracted work will be substantially completed.

Total Contract Price and Payment Schedule

The Contractor agrees to perform the work, furnish the material and labor specified above for the total sum of: ________________________(*)

Payments will be made according to the following schedule:

$____________ upon signing contract (not to exceed 1/3 of the total contract price or the cost of special order items, whichever is greater)

$____________ by ____/____/____ or upon completion of __________________________________________________________________

$____________ upon completion of the contract. (Law forbids demanding full payment until contract is completed to both party’s satisfaction)

The following material/equipment must be special $____________ to be paid for ___________________________________

ordered before the contracted work begins in order

to meet the completion schedule.(**) $____________ to be paid for ___________________________________

NOTES:

(*) Including all finance charges (**) Law requires that any deposit or down-payment required by the contractor before work begins may

not exceed the greater of (a) one-third of the total contract price or (b) the actual cost of any special equipment or custom made material

which must be special ordered in advance to meet the completion schedule.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Express Warranty - Is an express warranty being provided by the contractor?



Yes (all terms of the warranty must be attached to the contract)

Subcontractors - The contractor agrees to be solely responsible for completion of the work described regardless of the actions of any third

party/subcontractor utilized by the contractor. The contractor further agrees to be solely responsible for all payments to all subcontractors for

materials and labor under this agreement .

Contract Acceptance - Upon signing, this document becomes a binding contract under law. Unless otherwise noted within this document, the

contract shall not imply that any lien or other security interest has been placed on the residence. Review the following cautions and notices

carefully before signing this contract.



Don't be pressured into signing the contract. Take time to read and fully understand it. Ask questions if something is unclear.



Make sure the contractor has a valid Home Improvement Contractor Registration. The law requires most home improvement contractors and

subcontractors to be registered with the Director of Home Improvement Contractor Registration. You may inquire about contractor

registration by writing to the Director at 10 Park Plaza, Room 5170, Boston, MA 02116 or by calling 617-973-8787 or 888-283-3757.



Does the contractor have insurance? Ask the Contractor for his insurance company information so that you can confirm coverage, or ask to

see a copy of a “proof of insurance” document.



Know your rights and responsibilities. Read the Important Information on the reverse side of this form and get a copy of the Consumer

Guide to the Home Improvement Contractor Law.

You may cancel this agreement if it has been signed at a place other than the contractor's normal place of business, provided you notify the

contractor in writing at his/her main office or branch office by ordinary mail posted, by telegram sent or by delivery, not later than midnight of the

third business day following the signing of this agreement. See the attached notice of cancellation form for an explanation of this right.

DO NOT SIGN THIS CONTRACT IF THERE ARE ANY BLANK SPACES!!!

Two identical copies of the contract must be completed and signed. One copy should go to the homeowner. The other copy should be kept by the contractor.

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

Homeowner’s Signature Contractor’s Signature