When you decide to hire a home improvement contractor, of course, he or she needs to get paid. Massachusetts law Chapter 142A says several things about payment:
1. A contractor cannot ask for more than 1/3 up front, unless there are special order items involved;
2. A contractor cannot demand final payment until the project is completed to the mutual satisfaction of the parties;
3. The contract must be in writing if it is in excess of $1,000 and must state the total amount agreed to be paid for the work performed; and
4. The contract must list a schedule of payments.
When you decide to undertake a home improvement project, make sure that your payment schedule is clear. It may be a good idea to tie payments to completion milestones, such as when the framing is done or the floors installed. Payments tied to a percentage completion can be murky and subject to disagreement.
Make sure you are comfortable with the payment terms before you sign on the dotted line.
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