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Politics

Pa. Contractor Registration Law Goes Into Effect

Reporting
Jon Delano

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: A new home improvement contractor registration law hopes to protect consumers and legitimate contractors.
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A new consumer protection law is now in effect in Pennsylvania and it's supposed to help homeowners check out home remodelers before they do work on your house.

It's a new registration law that's supposed to keep fly-by-night contractors out of your home.
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Everybody knows a victim of a fly-by-night contractor.

Christine Barr of Ellwood City was ripped off by a basement remodeler while her husband was in Iraq, while Paul and Nancy Holt lost life savings to a contractor who abandoned the job before it was done.

"We put everything we had into our home," Mrs. Holt says.

That's why the legislature passed and Governor Rendell signed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that took effect on July 1 and legitimate contractors like it.

"I think it's great. I think it's just what we need around here. Weed out the bad contractors," says Rich Reola, a home improvement specialist.

Under the law, every home improvement contractor who does more than $5,000 worth of work in a year on residences must register with the Attorney General's office.

"This legislation gives us new tools to identify and prosecute problem contractors," says Attorney General Tom Corbett, "while also helping consumers avoid frustrating and potentially expensive problems in the future."

Before hiring someone to work on your home or yard, consumers can go on the Attorney General's website, type in the work they need, and then see a list of registered contractors.

"The registration is just simply that. This is not a driver's license. It isn't showing competency. It's just saying they're registered."

Jim Eichenlaub of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh warns that registration is not enough.

"Do your homework and don't just jump into it. Make sure that you investigate and explore the contractor, check for references, references that are current and up-to-date," he says.

Now as the legitimate remodelers and builders say, this bill is only as effective as its enforcement by local district attorneys and the Attorney General.

But it is a start. If you're interested in checking out your remodelers, visit: