Jeanne Knowles

Anyone who owns or operates a home improvement business or who offers, performs, or agrees to perform home improvements in Pennsylvania must register with the Office of Attorney General. New home builders do not have to register and are exempt from the regulation but must meet all applicaple building codes.

Contractors in Pennsylvania do not have to take an exam prior to registering as home improvement contractors.

Registered home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania must show proof of general liability insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000, workers' compensation insurance is not required. It is a good idea to only hire contractors with current general liability and workers' compensation policies. Be sure to request copies of insurance certificates for each before any work begins.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license status, insurance status, verified work history, standing with local consumer interest groups, verified reviews from other BuildZoom users and self-reported feedback from the contractor.

When it comes to major construction work or even minor alterations to your home, hiring the wrong contractor could result in incomplete or defective work. You may even find yourself dealing with huge liability claims. BuildZoom does the homework for you and helps you hire the right contractor.

Before hiring a contractor in Pennsylvania, be sure to get at least 3 detailed bids. Quality contractors will take the time to explain their budget proposal, and help guide you through the estimate process. Be wary of an abnormally low bid, they are not worth the risk. These underpriced projects often do not end well for the homeowner, choose a contractor you trust and can clearly communicate with. BuildZoom has made the bid collection process extremely simple (and free). Just click here to get started.