Contracts & ExecutionQuestion 693 of 1632
A contractor begins demolishing a homeowner's bathroom before the written home improvement contract is signed. Under the Contractors State License Law, this is:
a.Permissible, as long as the contract is signed within 30 days
b.Permissible if the homeowner gave verbal approval
c.Permissible if the down payment was already paid
d.A violation, because the contract must be signed by both parties before work begins
Explanation
B&P §7159 requires that a home improvement contract be signed by both parties and a copy given to the owner before any work is performed. Starting work first is a violation.
Law Reference: B&P §7159(a)This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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Reviewed by Abraham Chen — Licensed California General Contractor (CSLB License #1101856 — verify)