Contractors and Repair Shops in Idaho

Contractors must register with the Idaho Contractors Board; it is unlawful to work as a contractor without registering. Before signing a contract over $2,000 to build, alter or repair residential property, a general contractor must give the homeowner a signed-for disclosure of the right to require lien waivers from subcontractors, to receive proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, to buy extended title insurance covering unrecorded liens, and to require a surety bond at the homeowner's expense.

According to the Attorney General, it is an unfair and deceptive practice for a repair shop to exceed the dollar limit you authorize for repairs without first getting your express oral or written consent, and if unforeseen repairs would unreasonably or substantially increase the estimate, the shop must get your oral or written authorization before doing and charging for them; otherwise you are not obligated to pay the extra costs. You are entitled to your old parts back if you asked for them when the new parts were installed (with exceptions for warranty replacements or price reductions for keeping old parts), and to an itemized bill or work order on request unless you agreed to lump-sum billing.