Contractors and Repair Shops in Massachusetts

Contractors doing residential contracting on existing owner-occupied homes with one to four units must be registered with the state. Work over $1,000 requires a written contract signed by all parties, including the contractor's registration number, start and completion dates, a detailed description of the work, the total price and a payment schedule; work may not begin until the owner has a signed copy. The advance deposit may not be more than one-third of the total price, or the actual cost of special-order materials if greater. The contract must tell the owner about any applicable three-day cancellation right. A Residential Contractor's Guaranty Fund exists.

Under Attorney General regulations, a repair shop must have the customer's signed written authorization listing the specific repairs (or tell the customer the repairs and total price before starting if written authorization cannot be obtained). If the price will be more than $10 above the authorized price, the shop must notify the customer and get authorization before continuing. Before authorization, the shop must tell the customer of the right to have replaced parts returned (or inspected, if they must go back to the manufacturer under a warranty or rebuild arrangement). When work is done, the shop must provide a dated, itemized bill listing repairs, parts with prices, and labor.