Finally! Pittsburgh homeowners are safe from fraudulant contractors

In 2008 Pa. legislature passed the home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year must register with the Attorney Generals office. This Act was passed because due to the hundreds of fraudulent contractors that were ripping off thousands of hard working Pa. homeowners yearly.

As of July 1, 2009 consumers in Pa. will be able to verify legitimate contractors by visiting the website (www.attorneygeneral.gov/hiccon.aspx) or call 1-800-520-6680. Our company Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes HIC # is PA 030554.

In order for a contractor to be registered they must submit the following information and it must be accepted by the Attorney Generals office.

1. Information on any prior home improvement business operated by the applicant.

2. Information on other contractor licenses and registrations held by applicant.

3. ackground disclosures, including information on prior bankruptcies, criminal pleas, and convictions

4. Insurance policy information showing at least $50,000 of personal injury liability coverage and $50,000 of property damage coverage.

By going to the above website, clicking on list of registered contractors you can find registered contractors by entering their PA # or the name of their company.

By taking five minutes to do this crucial research you at least know about your contractors history, and may save you from a poor installation that may cost you thousands more to have a qualified contractor do a second time. Just like the unfortunate homeowners below.