Pennsylvania: what the law says about your contract
3 Pennsylvania rules, each quoted from the statute with its link and the date we checked it, after the federal rule that applies everywhere.
Pennsylvania Attorney General (home improvement contractor registration)
Home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General, and the registration number must be on the contract (HICPA §7(a)(1)). Registration is not a skills license.
FTC Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR 429)
Three business days to cancel in-home sales of $25 or more
“You, the buyer, may cancel this transaction at any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of this transaction.”
The rule covers sales of $25 or more made at your home, and $130 or more at a seller’s temporary location such as a hotel, fair or convention center. It applies even when you invited the salesperson in. The seller must give you two copies of a cancellation form, tell you about the right out loud, and refund within 10 business days of a valid cancellation.
16 CFR 429 · checked 2026-10-05The scope, in the rule’s words
“…which has a purchase price of $25 or more if the sale is made at the buyer’s residence or a purchase price of $130 or more if the sale is made at locations other than the buyer’s residence…”
Exceptions include sales negotiated at the seller’s permanent place of business, real estate, insurance and securities, and genuine emergencies you started where you sign a handwritten waiver.
FTC consumer guide to the ruleThe emergency exception
“In which the buyer has initiated the contact and the goods or services are needed to meet a bona fide immediate personal emergency of the buyer, and the buyer furnishes the seller with a separate dated and signed personal statement in the buyer’s handwriting describing the situation requiring immediate remedy and expressly acknowledging and waiving the right to cancel the sale within 3 business days…”
A pre-printed waiver handed to you by the seller is not this. The statement has to be in your own handwriting, for an emergency you asked them to fix.
16 CFR 429 §429.0What the law says, quoted with its source. Not legal advice: for your situation ask your state's contractor board or attorney general.
Pennsylvania rules
Over $5,000: deposit up to one-third (plus special-order materials)
“…for a home improvement contract in which the total price is more than $5,000, receive a deposit in excess of: (A) one-third of the home improvement contract price; or (B) one-third of the home improvement contract price plus the cost of special order materials that will be ordered, as designated in the written contract.”
On a Pennsylvania job over $5,000 the deposit may not exceed one-third of the price, plus the cost of special-order materials named in the written contract. Large home improvement retailers that post an irrevocable letter of credit with the Bureau of Consumer Protection are exempt (§9(10)(ii)).
73 P.S. §517.9(10) (HICPA §9) · checked 2026-10-05Three business days to rescind, wherever signed
“An individual signing a home improvement contract… shall be permitted to rescind the contract without penalty regardless of where the contract was signed, within three business days of the date of signing.”
Pennsylvania lets you rescind a home improvement contract (work over $500) within three business days, even if you signed it at the contractor’s office.
73 P.S. §517.7(b) (HICPA §7(b)) · checked 2026-10-05A valid contract is written and carries the registration number
“No home improvement contract shall be valid or enforceable against an owner unless it: (1) Is in writing and legible and contains the home improvement contractor registration number of the performing contractor.”
It must also list approximate start and completion dates, a description of the work and materials, and the total price. No payment may be demanded before the contract is signed (§9(9)).
73 P.S. §517.7(a) (HICPA §7(a)) · checked 2026-10-05What the law says, quoted with its source. Not legal advice: for your situation ask your state's contractor board or attorney general.