Pennsylvania roofing contract checklist

What your roofing contract must say under Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.

By Esteam Roofer | Updated October 17, 2026

Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) sets rules for contractors and for the contracts they sign with homeowners. The points below summarize publicly available guidance. For legal advice, consult an attorney or the Attorney General's office.

Registration

Contractors who perform home improvement work in Pennsylvania generally must register with the Attorney General, and the registration number must appear on contracts, estimates, proposals and advertisements. You can verify registration through the Attorney General's office.

What the contract must include

• • A written, legible agreement signed by you and the contractor for work over $500
• • The contractor's registration number, name, address and phone number
• • The date of the transaction
• • Approximate start and completion dates
• • A description of the work, the materials to be used and a set of specifications
• • The total price
• • The deposit amount, with any special-order materials listed separately
• • Notice of your right to cancel within three business days

Deposit limits

For larger contracts, a contractor may not receive a deposit greater than one-third of the contract price, plus the cost of special-order materials that are designated in the written contract.

Changes to the work

Specifications cannot be changed without a written change order signed by you and the contractor. This is also how Esteam Roofer works: if we find hidden damage, we document it and ask for your signature before extra work begins.

Insurance

Registered contractors must carry minimum liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm it is current.