Registration with the Attorney General
Contractors who do a meaningful volume of home improvement work in Pennsylvania each year must register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General. Their registration number has to appear on their contracts, proposals and advertising.
- 1Ask for the registration number, or find it on the proposal or the contractor's advertising.
- 2Look it up through the Attorney General's registered-contractor search, or call the hotline at 1-888-520-6680.
- 3Confirm the business name and expiration date match the contractor in front of you.
- 4Ask for proof of liability insurance and confirm it with the insurer.
What registration does and does not tell you
The state database shows basic details such as the business name, number, expiration date and address. It is a starting point, not a measure of roofing skill, so check experience and insurance too.
What the contract must include
- It must be in writing and signed by you and the contractor.
- It must include the contractor's registration number.
- It must describe the work and the materials, and the start and completion dates.
- It must state your right to cancel within three business days, wherever it was signed.
- It must include the phone number of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Cancelling and deposits
You can rescind a home improvement contract within three business days of signing, without penalty. A contractor must refund payments within ten business days of a timely cancellation.
On larger jobs, HICPA limits how much a contractor can take up front: generally no more than one third of the contract amount, plus any special-order materials bought for your job.
Questions
+Is a Pennsylvania HICPA registration the same as a license?
Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide roofing license. HICPA registration is the state requirement for home improvement contractors; some municipalities add their own licensing.
+What are red flags?
No registration number on the paperwork, a large cash deposit, full payment before work starts, pressure to sign immediately, and door-to-door offers after a storm.