Very Very Very Important:
July 1 2009 Has Passed – Are You Using a PA Home Improvement
Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) Compliant Contractor?
It is now the law that all contractors working on your house, must now have a Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number... PROTECT YOURSELF, If they don't, do not let them work on your house!!! Do not take this for granite... make them proove it! As of July 1, 2009, Pennsylvania’s new Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act ("HICPA") requires all home improvement contractors to register with the state AND use a HICPA-compliant contract. :
What happens if you do not have a HICPA compliant contract or contractor?
The law says that (1) a disgruntled customer can report a violation to the Attorney General's Office for prosecution as a crime involving "home improvement fraud," (2) your entire contract may be unenforceable by you if it is not HICPA Compliant, AND (3) use of a noncompliant contract is an "unfair or deceptive act or practice" under Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, entitling the customer to seek triple damages plus costs and legal fees. So do your homework and read more about all this at the bottom of this page or log onto http://www.hicpacompliance.com/ for full details.
Why choose Dream Decks:
as if the above information wasn't enough?
All Dream Deck Designs custom built decks have a 15-year structural warranty on all carpentry work and workmanship defects backed with the manufacturer's product warranty.
HOWEVER
What truly sets us apart
FROM ALL OTHER DECK BUILDERS
Basically speaking: If your getting a deck built by a reputable contractor, that is working and building with a township permit, your building inspector will insist and not allow any decks to be built unless they are following all the new, up to date building codes... so in our opinion,
structural warranty means absolutely nothing!!!
Because the deck will inevitably fail all inspections every time until the codes are met and the inspector is satisfied.
What it all comes down to is company reputation but more importantly,
HOW LONG HAS THE COMPANY WHO'S BUILDING YOUR DECK REALLY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Were not talking about experience, or how long they "claim" they have been doing this... we are talking about, how long have they been doing business under the same name!!!
HERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH ALL THOSE COMPANIES:
Since all composites and maintenance free materials are synthetically produced, there is always the possibility that you will have or get a manufactures defect. The real fact of the matter is, we see a warranty claim on composite materials at least 2 - 5 times every year!!! It could be immediately after the build? It could be 5 years down the line? It may only be as simple as a staining or mildew issue? Or in worst cases, a mis-mix in the pre-casting causing an early deterioration of the product!
THE FACT IS... we will be here..., stand by you..., and negotiate with the manufacturer and supplier, until they pay us what it is worth to get this all resolved in a quick and efficient manner for you!!!!
The problem with mostly all the warranties are, they will only replace what is bad, and do not pay you for labor. But since we are who we are, and have the reputation of building the best... and have been building decks under the same company name for over the past 24 years, these manufacturers DO NOT WANT TO LOOSE OUR BUSINESS, and will do anything and everything not to jeopardize our long relationship with them. We've seen It take years and years for the defect to be exposed, and if the deck company you are using is not there standing by you when this should happen, we beg of you, just wait and see how hard and difficult it will be to get your investment fixed by someone else!
Deck builders are like a dime a dozen... everyone and anyone claims they can build a beautiful Dream Deck! Believe us we know, because we most likely, and probably employed half of them in our area through out all our years ... so make sure when you are choosing a deck building company, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Search on-line how long they "really" have been doing this under their name... and make sure they are not just "claiming" this to be a fact. Call your local or surrounding townships..., ask them how long they have been dealing with them. Call the supplier of the materials, and ask them how long they have been purchasing stuff! When the truth be told, you'll understand why your project inevitably will always come back to us, and getting it done right!
One last Thing:
Make sure all contractors bidding on your job have a
Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number!!!
If they don't, throw them the hell out and fast! They are most likely a fly-by night company and you will inevitably get screwed by them.
OUR NUMBER IS:
PAOAGHIC:003275
Want to learn more?
Home Improvement Contractor Registration - Senate Bill 100
All Home Improvement Contractors Must Register by July 1, 2009!
Contractors billing $5,000 or more in business direct with consumers annually will need to receive a registration number from the AG. This number must be displayed on their contracts, promotional materials, in advertisements and on business cards. In addition, the law puts forth regulations that home-improvement contractors will need to adhere to relating to business agreements and contracts, insurance coverage, and collecting deposits for projects. This registration will need to be renewed with the AG’s office every two years in order to stay in compliance of the law. Failure to meet the requirements of the law could lead to investigation and even prosecution by the state Attorney General’s office.
What is Home Improvement Contractor Registration: All home improvement contractors must register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection within the PA Attorney General's Office.
Who it applies to: All home improvement contractors that perform more than $5,000 in business annually directly with consumers. New home builders and building suppliers that do not perform home improvements are exempt from this registration. More specific guidelines are available here.
This legislation affects ALL HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS regardless of association membership status. Membership with the BACP will make further resources available for businesses to ensure compliance. Learn more about membership with the BACP. View the Application.
Under the new law, all home improvement contractors must register with the state prior to July 1, 2009. PBA worked closely with state Sen. Robert Tomlinson, R-Bucks; Rep. Keith McCall, D-Carbon; and Attorney General Tom Corbett to produce legislation that provides consumer protection against home improvement fraud without overly burdening small business owners. “This law strikes the right balance in that it protects the needs of consumers without being burdensome to home improvement businesses,” said PBA President Ray Fertig. “That’s especially important during slower economic times so that we don’t cripple a part of our state’s economy that can help drive our business recovery.” Over the next eight months, PBA will be educating its home improvement members about the requirements of the new law to ensure they are properly prepared for business when the law goes into effect July 1, 2009. Contractors who are not members should consider PBA membership as a cost effective tool for gaining access to the information they’ll need to be successful under the new PBA supports new home improvement contractor registration law, page 2 home improvement registration law. To learn more, call PBA at 800-692-7339, or they can find their local homebuilders association on the PBA web site at www.PaBuilders.org.
