In the past few years, a number of states have adopted laws specifically governing agreements between contractors and homeowners. These Home Improvement Acts generally require that all contracts be in writing and contain certain specific provisions and information. Failure to include these items in a contract can put you at risk of losing your entire payment over what may seem like a technicality. Even if you live in a state without a Home Improvement Act (HIA), you may run these same risks if your contracts don't include certain information. If the parties, work, and compensation aren't clearly specified, both client and contractor are put unnecessarily at risk if disagreements arise. For that reason it pays to review the provisions required by HIAs,
