Home Improvements
by: MidPenn Legal Services
Publication of this Brochure was Funded by a
State College Borough Community
Development Block Grant
As your home ages it needs repairs or improvements. If you have been contacted by someone who wants to do this work for you, you should
BE VARY WARY
Check Them Out!
Are they a local business with a local address and telephone number? Call the Better Business Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce or the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Have any complaints been filed against them? Ask for references.
Ask around! Have others had work done by them? Were they satisfied? Check out the work yourself.
Can You Afford it?
Find out the entire cost of the project. Make sure you can afford it.
Be careful of home equity loans. This puts a mortgage on your home. If you cannot make the payments, you will lose your home. Be especially careful if the contractor offers to get the financing for you.
 Before You Sign . . .
Read all documents completely before signing. Ask questions. What will you be paying and what will you be getting.
Take your time. Never sign a contract the same day it is given to you. Think about it. Can you really afford to have the work done?
Never sign a document that does not have all the information completed.
If you do sign a contract with a door-to-door salesman, you have three working days to cancel it. It must be done in writing.
The contract should include instructions on how to cancel it. If it does not, send a letter to the company stating that you are canceling the contract.
If you need help canceling the contract, contact your local legal services office right away!
Protect Yourself!
Never let a salesperson enter your home without proper identification, preferably with a photo.
You do not have to let a salesperson into your home. You have the right to tell a salesperson to leave your home.
If a salesperson does not leave when asked, call the police.
If you have specific questions about housing issues contact your local legal services program.
MidPenn Legal Services serves residents of:
Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Mifflin, Schuylkill & York Counties.
MidPenn Legal Services:
1-800-326-9177 or 814/238-4958
2054 East College Avenue
State College, PA 16801
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This pamphlet is meant to give general information and not specific legal advice. MidPenn Legal Services (MPLS) in providing this information, is in no way agreeing or implying that it will represent individuals who use the enclosed information. Although this information is believed accurate at the time of preparation, MPLS assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information. Individual situations require individual analysis.
Date Last Reviewed: July 2003 |
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