This document provides tips and information for homeowners planning to hire a home improvement contractor in Fairfax County, Virginia. It outlines how to research contractors, what to include in contracts, homeowners' cancellation rights, and protections against contractor fraud. The Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch can help homeowners by providing contractor complaint histories, mediating disputes, and enforcing laws regarding deposits and unfinished work.

1. Home Improvement Consumer Affairs Branch Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

3. Tips on hiring a contractor

4. Information on home improvement laws

5. Complaint histories on contractors

6. Mediation and arbitration services regarding consumer-contractor disputes (i.e. deficiencies in work, no work performed) fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

7. BEFORE HIRING A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR: Obtain recommendations, references, and research contractor to find out if other consumers have complaints. Verify business has a business license (BPOL) through Fairfax County. Verify contractor is licensed by state of Virginia. Contractors must be licensed for any contract amount over $1,000: Class A license required for projects whose total value exceeds $120,000 Class B license for projects between $7,500 to $120,000 Class C for projects between $1,000 to $7,500 Ask friends or neighbors for referrals. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

8. ADDITIONAL TIPS ON HIRING A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR Get at least three written estimates from different contractors and find out if they will be using subcontractors on project. Verify contractor has insurance to cover damage to your home, or injury to employees working on your property. After you decide on contractor, make sure to obtain a written contract. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

10. Name, Business Name, Location, Address

11. License Number, Class, Expiration Date

12. Job Location - Job Description - Materials Used

13. Total Cost - Deposit - Payment Schedule

14. Start Date - End Date

15. Permits - Inspections - Zoning

16. Modification & Cancellation Policyfairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

17. INFORMATION TIPS ONCE A CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN SELECTED Make sure you have completed appropriate paperwork with your homeowner’s association for approval of the home improvement work, if applicable. Make a minimal deposit Don’t let payments get ahead of completed work Keep records of all payments. Once work starts: verify permits have been obtained monitor project to be sure all work passes inspection. Before making final payment, get copies of warranties for materials and workmanship, and make sure you are satisfied with the job. fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

18. HOME SOLICITATION SALES ACT Under Section 59.1-21.1 of the Code of Virginia: If a contract is signed in your home, you have rights under the Home Solicitation Sales Act, which falls under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act Normally, you have right to cancel home solicitation sale until midnight of third business day after the day on which you sign an agreement or offer to purchase Notice of cancellation given by you need not take a particular form and is sufficient if it indicates by any form of written expression your intention The buyer may not cancel a home solicitation sale if you request seller provide goods and services without delay because of an emergency fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

19. “Buyer’s Right to Cancel” The contract must have a “Buyer’s Right to Cancel” clause above the signature line on the contract. Sample Notice of Cancellation Date of Transaction: ________________ To cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and dated copy of this cancellation notice or any other written notice, or send a telegram to (Name of Business) at (Address of Business) not later than midnight of (Date). I hereby cancel this transaction. Buyer’s signature: ________________________ Date: ________ fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

20. CONTRACTOR FRAUD LAW Section 18.2-200.1 of the Code of Virginia protects you if: You sign a contract for home improvement You pay a deposit to the contractor The contracted work is not completed and the deposit it not refunded fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer

21. Contact the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch for more information: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 433 Fairfax, Virginia 22035 703-222-8435 TTY 711 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer consumer@fairfaxcounty.gov fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer Contact Consumer Affairs