Whether it’s to improve your home’s curb appeal or because your need to replace your roof, spring is a popular time to start a home improvement project. I have some tips about what to consider before you hire someone to do the work for you.

Before you start any home improvement project, do your homework. Make a plan and set a budget. If you need to borrow money to pay for your project, apply for financing. Think about the materials you want to use and write down a detailed list of the work to be done.

When you look for a contractor, get recommendations from people you know and trust. Read online reviews, check for complaints against the business, and check the contractor’s registration with the state at https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx.

Ask for references from recent projects and call the references to inquire if they had any problems with the contractor. Get at least three detailed, written estimates for your project before making a final decision. Be sure to ask the contractor for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Under the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Law, contracts over $1,000 must be in writing, but it is a good idea to get a written contract for any job. The contract must contain specific terms and information, including the following:

■The names and addresses of the two parties, the contractor’s registration number, the name of any salesperson involved, and the date of the contract.

■The start and completion date.

■A detailed description of the work and materials and the total price of the project.

■The payment schedule and the amount of each payment.

■Signatures of both parties.

■ A three-day cancellation notice.

■All warranties.

■A notice in bold print stating “Do not sign the contract if there are any blank spaces.”

■A clause informing the homeowner about construction-related permits.

■A sentence explaining that no work can begin prior to the signing of the contract and the homeowner receiving a copy of it.

■Information about contractor arbitration, homeowner’s rights, execution of the contract, accelerated payments, how to get information about the Home Improvement Law and how to check a contractor’s registration, and information about dispute resolution.

You can find a copy of a sample contract and more information at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-a-home-improvement-contractor.

Under the Home Improvement Contractor Law, the contractor cannot collect more than one-third of the cost of the contract in advance, unless special order materials are needed. Those costs must be spelled out separately in the contract. The contractor should also apply for required construction permits.

Even if you have done all your homework and have signed a detailed contract, disputes can arise. First, try to work with the contractor to resolve the situation. If the situation can’t be resolved, there are several options to consider:

■File a consumer complaint with the attorney general’s office for consumer assistance;

■ Face-to-face mediation programs through the attorney general’s office at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/face-to-face-mediation-program;

■ Apply for the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration Program through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation;

■ Consider legal options such as small claims court or consulting an attorney.

While there are many reputable contractors, the spring weather brings out scammers who knock on your door and offer to make repairs to your home, driveway, or yard. They might say that they have materials left over from a previous job and offer a great price to do the work today. Look out for anyone who tries to pressure you to act now, who asks you to pay for everything upfront or who only accepts cash.

Sometimes these individuals take your money and run, sometimes they start the work and then find “problems” and ask for more money to fix them, or they start the project and never come back to finish. No matter how good the deal sounds, take the time to follow the steps above to protect yourself. If you are approached by someone going door to door like this, try to get a description of the vehicle and license plate number and report them to the police department. Never agree to make a payment or sign a contract when you are being pressured to do so.

If you would like additional information about home improvements, you may call our Northampton office at 413-586-9225 or our Greenfield office at 413-774-3186, or check the consumer page of our website, Northwesternda.org.

Anita Wilson is the director of the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit, which is a Local Consumer Program working in cooperation with the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.]]>