Home improvement law designed to protect consumers goes into effect

A consumer protection law that requires contractors who provide more than $5,000 in annual home improvements to register with the attorney general's office has gone into effect.

As such, consumers may check the registration status of contractors.

"The intent of the act is to protect consumers from unscrupulous contractors, to provide new protection for consumers who hire home improvement contractors and to authorize criminal penalties for home improvement fraud," according to Attorney General Tom Corbett.

The legislation provides benefits for both the consumer and the contractor.

"I believe the act is very positive for the consumer and contractor. It will help weed out the inferior or deceptive type of remodeling contractors," said Ray Venema, president of Susquehanna Builders in Montoursville.

According to Corbett, there are several reasons why it is important to check contractors' registration status.

The consumer will see, among other things, the contractor's insurance information, whether that contractor is complying with the law and whether that contractor has a criminal record or civil judgements against them.

Individuals interested in checking the registration status of perspective contractors may do so on the attorney general's Web site at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

According to Venema, as of Thursday morning more than 32,000 contractors had registered and the Web site saw more than 5,000 government hits.

"The Web site has only been open for a couple days," Venema said.

The contractor registrations may be used to shop around and find a contractor that is best suited for an individuals needs.

"If someone wants work done, the act allows them to verify whether you are a valid contractor. I think it gives the consumer a better opportunity to shop around more," said Sarah Bair, administrative assistant with JP Stone Construction.