The Home Improvement Consumer Protections Act was adopted by Pennsylvania's General Assembly in October of 2008.    This law establishes a mandatory registration program for Contractors who offer or perform home improvements in Pennsylvania.  The statute also establishes:

 "minimum insurance requirements for contractors; requires contractors to provide their registration number in their ads and contracts; establishes required contract terms for home improvement contracts; prohibits unfair business practices; and creates a criminal penalty for home improvement fraud."

Anyone who owns and/or operates a home improvement business or who agrees to perform any home improvement in Pennsylvania must have a registration number with the state in order to do any work.  This includes contractors, subcontractors, self employed contractors, corporations and partnerships.

All contractors must be registered by July 1, 2009.

For your own protection, please take the time to make sure you have hired a contractor that is registered with the state.  Always ask for a certificate of insurance that covers General Liability.