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I once heard about a contractor doing hardscaping work for a client. Clearly dissatisfied with the work, the client filed a complaint with the BA because the paint was incorrect and the sealant flaked. The contractor responded to BA`s request, saying the client was to blame for misusing melting ice on landscaping. The contractor also knew that the client had complained about other companies in the past. Nevertheless, the hard scaper offered to remove all the work for free. For the first time in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania law requires contractors earning more than $5,000 a year to register with the Office of the Attorney General`s Office of Consumer Protection. This registration involves the payment of a $50 registration fee and provides the Attorney General with information that specifically identifies the contractor, including the contractor`s address, the contractor`s business name, phone number, driver`s license number, social security number, and other related information. This law applies not only to individuals, but also to partnerships and businesses that act as entrepreneurs in this state. The entrepreneur must also provide information with his application on any conviction for a criminal offense related to a DIY transaction, fraud, theft or any other fraudulent business practice.
Proof of liability and personal injury insurance are also required. Once the Consumer Protection Office is satisfied that the applicant has provided all the necessary information, it will issue the contractor with a registration certificate and number. The entrepreneur must re-register every two years. In addition, the law defines home renovation fraud, which would expose a contractor to criminal charges brought by the attorney general`s office or the local attorney`s office. Home improvement fraud is widespread and involves making false or misleading statements to encourage a person to enter into a renovation agreement. the receipt of deposit funds from an owner and the non-provision of materials as contractually agreed; make false or misleading advertising; and distort or obscure the real identity of the contractor or its commercial agent. The Attorney General intends to establish a toll-free telephone number to help consumers obtain verification information about contractors who have registered. After July 1, 2009, homeowners with contractual disputes about home renovations can contact the Office of the Attorney General`s hotline and file a complaint. Hopefully, this will serve to limit the damage caused by people “flying at night” who call themselves entrepreneurs. The law that regulates businesses is called the Consumer Protection Act (CPL), 73 P.S.
§ 201-1 ff. It sets the standard for unfair commercial practices. The Home Renovation Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), 73 P.S. § 517.1 et seq., outlines additional guidelines for DIYers. To complain about Pennsylvania contractors or plumbers, contact the Attorney General`s Office below. To complain in Philadelphia, you can try calling 311. BA`s agents and lawyers were informed of the rejected offer and therefore concluded that the contractor was not at fault. In short, they chose option 1 – do nothing. DIYers must register with the Consumer Protection Bureau under HICPA every two years. Attorney General Shapiro urges contractors to familiarize themselves with HICPA`s requirements for compliant contracts and acceptable deposits, among other things. More than 70,000 contractors are currently registered with the office under HICPA.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the office has filed 35 lawsuits in 17 Pennsylvania counties involving contractors. As a business owner, it`s inevitable that you`ll deal with customer complaints, no matter what product or service you`re selling. Perhaps the complaint lacks legitimacy because, as most business people know, the customer is not always right. Unfortunately, there are times when a businessman makes a mistake or, worse, actively runs a business in a way that harms consumers. Surely no professional would do anything to repel customers, you say. Curiously, however, this happens and often in the context of entrepreneurs. Therefore, Pennsylvania, among other states, has an entire law dedicated to ensuring that do-it-yourselfers meet certain requirements — and this law is in addition to the general consumer protection law. Both laws are enforced by the Consumer Protection Bureau of the Attorney General`s Office (BA&BCP) against businesses and entrepreneurs who do injustice to consumers. A full list of entrepreneurs facing the action can be found below. You can file your complaint online with the Pennsylvania Attorney General`s Office of Consumer Protection or download the complaint form. Fill out this form, attach copies of receipts and send an email to: Attorney General`s Office 15th Floor Consumer Protection Office, Strawberry Square Harrisburg, PA 17120 Request multiple quotes for the work you need.
Make sure each contractor submits quotes according to the same construction project plans. Pennsylvanians who believe they have been the victim of a home renovation contractor or unsavory business practices should contact the Attorney General`s Consumer Protection Office at 1-800-441-2555 or email scams@attorneygeneral.gov or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint. Shapiro`s office said the lawsuits were part of a national home renovation initiative from October 2018 to April 2019 that focused on contractors` compliance with the Home Renovation Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today that his Office of Consumer Protection has filed 35 lawsuits in 17 Pennsylvania counties involving contractors. The lawsuit was part of a national home renovation initiative from October 2018 to April 2019 that focused on contractors` compliance with the Home Renovation Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). DIYers must register with the Consumer Protection Office under HICPA twice a year. The Pennsylvania Attorney General`s Office reports that complaints about home repair projects are increasing every year. Concerns range from contractors who don`t really show up to do the job to those who do inferior work, or even those who take advantage of older homeowners. “Gillin Construction said they had done repairs for my neighbours, so I trusted them. It was an incredibly frustrating time for my family when we had to pay $4700 to another contractor to complete the work Gillin had left unfinished. It only took them three hours to cover the leaking part of my roof. I am grateful to Attorney General Josh Shapiro`s Consumer Protection Office for taking steps to prevent other consumers from being scammed by a contractor.
You can file your small claim in Pennsylvania in the county where your contractor lives, where they provided you with a service, or where the contract was signed. To start your small claims action, file a civil lawsuit (or statement of claim) in a district (or municipal) court. You can retrieve all the forms at the court or download them online. At the time of deposit, you must pay the deposit fee (which may vary). In announcing the lawsuit, Attorney General Shapiro also gave a number of tips for consumers to follow when choosing a contractor to upgrade or work on their homes: In one case, a Cambria County resident was scammed by a construction company, Gillin Construction, to restore their roof. Before signing a contract with a contractor, ask for local references and call them to see if they were satisfied with the contractor`s work. The Pennsylvania Attorney General`s Office receives more than 50,000 complaints and recommendations each year that allow us to fight on your behalf. You can file a complaint online or by printing a form and sending it to our office. The more information you provide, the better we can help you.
But let`s say the worst happens: you`re an entrepreneur (or business owner) and a disgruntled customer contacts the OAG to file a complaint against you and your business. What`s next? If you want to complain about your contractor, here are your main options. If you`re not sure which option is best for you, read “Where to Complain Best.” In one case, a consumer in Cambria County was scammed by a contractor, Gillin Construction, to restore his roof. They paid the contractor more than $10,000 and only half of the work was completed. In September 2018, the consumer entered into a $6,700 contract with the company and made a $4,000 down payment for Gillin Construction to begin work, but the contractor left the consumer`s home unfinished after tearing the shingles off its roof. The consumer did not see the contractor again until he came back to ask for more money, not to work on the roof. In addition, leaks from its unfinished roof caused $3,500 worth of damage to the interior of the house. Although contractors are required by law to register with the Attorney General`s Office, this registration is not a confirmation of their honesty or the quality of their work. That`s why you should not only see if a contractor is registered with the Attorney General`s Office, but also: Thirty-five contractors across Pennsylvania have been the subject of a lawsuit by the Pennsylvania Attorney General`s Office after allegedly failing to comply with the state`s consumer protection law and various construction-related issues. .
