The Indiana legislative body enacted changes last summer to Indiana’s Home Improvement Laws that now require specific contract language for small business owners working with consumers’ homes. Whether your company does plumbing, drywall, roofing, remodeling, painting, or any other type of home-improvement, the new laws require contracts to contain word-for-word language. For contractors and repairmen that work with insurance reimbursements, the new laws are especially direct.
Indiana Code Section 24-5-11 was recently revised by lawmakers to explicitly require certain contract language relating to the following situations in order to comply with the law:
- The right to cancel the contract
- Notice of cancellation of the contract
- Third-party payor situations
- Supplier sources
- Contact information for the contracting company
- Modifications to the contract
- Partial services performed
Some of these requirements are very specific and demand that the contract boldly notify a homeowner of certain required language. If you are a small business owner or even a concerned homeowner, make sure you consult with an Indiana business attorney to ensure that your contracts and agreements are following all of the applicable laws. An ounce of prevention far outweighs a pound of cure, and a few simple modifications to your form contracts can ensure that you are in compliance with the new changes to Indiana laws on home improvement contracts.
