Home Improvement Law
The Wisconsin Home Improvement Trade Practices Act, also known as the “Home Improvement Code,” governs home improvement projects. It does not apply to new construction. It describes what a contractor may or may not do on a project, sets forth what must be included in a home improvement contract, and describes a consumer's right to cancel the contract under certain circumstances. Consumers may wish to review the Code before hiring a contractor. As for contractors, it is presumed that they have familiarity with the Code and, in fact, according to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals: “There is no excuse for failing to follow the code." State v. Balestrieri, 87
After October 1, 2006, consumers and contractors must follow the procedures set forth in the new Right to Cure Act to resolve disputes relating to defects in construction.
To walk through the Right to Cure process:
Consumers and contractors face a variety of legal considerations and issues throughout a project, many of which are dealt with and answered by the Home Improvement Code.
To review legal considerations at various project stages:
