Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights
We take your consumer rights seriously, and we want you to be informed before you hire anyone to work on your home. That is why we encourage you to read this page and download the Office of the Illinois Attorney General's two-page fact sheet, which covers contracts, cancellation rights, and more.
Before You Sign a Contract
The Attorney General's office recommends ten precautions. They come down to one idea: get it in writing, and don't let anyone rush you.
- Get every estimate in writing.
- Don't let high-pressure sales tactics push you into signing.
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces, or one you don't fully understand. If you're financing the work with a loan, wait for your lender's approval before you sign.
- Know your cancellation window. See the table below.
- Check that the business is real. If a contractor operates under a name other than their own, that business must either be incorporated or registered under the Assumed Business Name Act. Verify incorporation with the Illinois Secretary of State, or registration with your county clerk.
- Ask about permits. Check with your local and county units of government to find out whether permits or inspections are required.
- Ask whether the contractor guarantees their work and their products.
- Confirm the contractor carries proper insurance.
- Don't sign a certificate of completion or make the final payment until the work is done to your satisfaction.
- Ask for lien waivers for any and all subcontractors.
Can I cancel a home repair contract after I've signed it?
If you sign at home, you get time to reconsider. A contractor cannot take that right away from you — not by starting work early, not by selling your contract to a lender, not by any other tactic.
| Your situation | You have | Clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| Contract signed at your home | 3 business days | When you sign |
| Age 65 or older, signed with an uninvited solicitor in your home | 15 business days | When you sign |
| Your insurer denies the claim | 5 business days | When you receive written notice of denial |
| You filed an insurance claim | 30 days | When you sent the claim |
| Refund owed to you after you cancel | 10 business days | When the contractor receives your notice |
Whichever of the two insurance deadlines comes first is the one that applies. Cancel in writing.
Required contract provision — quoted in full
"If you are notified by your insurer that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss under the insurance policy, you may cancel the contract by mailing or delivering written notice to (name of contractor) at (address of contractor's place of business) at any time prior to the earlier of midnight on the fifth business day after you have received such notice from your insurer or the thirtieth business day after receipt of a properly executed proof of loss by the insurer from the insured."
One exception to the refund rule: if the contractor already supplied goods or services related to a catastrophe that you agreed to in writing as necessary to prevent damage to the premises, they are entitled to the reasonable value of that work.
What Illinois Law Requires in Your Contract
| Required in the contract | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|
| Contractor's full name, address, and telephone number | If the business name or address changes before the agreed start or completion date, Illinois law requires the contractor to notify you. |
| Description of the work to be performed | Vague scope is where most disputes begin. |
| Starting and estimated completion dates | Without dates, you have no basis to act if the work stalls. |
| Total cost of the work | Should match the written estimate you agreed to. |
| Schedule and method of payment | Including down payment, subsequent payments, and final payment. |
| Grounds for termination by either party | You still owe for work completed. But if the contractor fails to commence or complete the work within the contracted time period, you may cancel and may be entitled to a refund of your down payment or other payments — request it in writing, by certified mail. |
| Insurance-claim cancellation provision | The verbatim language quoted above. |
| Roofing license name and number (roofing work only) | Illinois law requires contractors who offer roofing work to include their Illinois state roofing license name and number on contracts and bids. |
Keep a copy of the signed contract somewhere safe.
Liens, Sworn Statements & Subcontractors
What a Sworn Statement Is
Before you pay your contractor, you have the right to a signed and notarized written statement — a "Sworn Statement" — listing everyone your contractor hired to work on your home, their addresses, the amounts about to be paid to each, and the total still owed after your payment.
Why Liens Matter to You
Suppliers and subcontractors can file a lien against your home if they don't get paid for their labor or materials — including in cases where you have already paid your contractor. Requesting a Sworn Statement before you pay, and collecting lien waivers, is how you protect yourself.
Protect Yourself with Lien Waivers for all Subcontractors
Before you pay your contractor, understand that the Mechanics Lien Act requires that you shall request and the contractor shall give you a signed and notarized written statement (known as a "Sworn Statement") that lists all the persons or companies your contractor hired to work on your home, their addresses along with the amounts about to be paid, and the total amount owed after the payment to those persons or companies.
Suppliers and subcontractors have a right to file a lien against your home if they do not get paid for their labor or materials. To protect yourself against liens, you should demand that your contractor provide you with a Sworn Statement before you pay the contractor.
You should also obtain lien waivers from all contractors and subcontractors if appropriate. You should consult with an attorney to learn more about your rights and obligations under the Mechanics Lien Act.*
*Disclaimer: The contents of this paragraph are required to be placed in the pamphlet for consumer guidance and information only. The contents of this paragraph are not substantive enforceable provisions of the Home Repair and Remodeling Act and are not intended to affect the substantive law of the Mechanics Lien Act.
Warning Signs of Home Repair Fraud
What are some examples of deceptive practices in home repair?
Use extreme caution if you encounter any of the following.
Prices far below market
Door-to-door salespeople with no local connections offering to do the work for substantially less than the market price.
No real address
A company reachable only by telephone number or post office box — particularly an out-of-state company.
No references
A contractor who fails to provide references when you request them.
Free inspection offers
Don't admit anyone into your home unless they present authentic identification establishing their business status. When in doubt, call the worker's employer to verify their identity.
Cash-only demands
A contractor who demands cash payment for a job, or asks you to make a check payable to a person other than the owner or company name.
A ride to the bank
An offer from a contractor to drive you to the bank to withdraw funds to pay for the work.
How to File a Complaint in Illinois
If you think you've been defrauded by a contractor, bring your concerns to your state's attorney or the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
Illinois Consumer Fraud Hotlines
| Springfield | Chicago | Carbondale |
|---|---|---|
| 1-800-243-0618 | 1-800-386-5438 | 1-800-243-0607 |
How do I file a complaint against a contractor in Illinois?
Call the Consumer Fraud Hotline for your region using the numbers above, or contact your state's attorney. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities can reach the Attorney General's Office using the 7-1-1 relay service.
More information is available at IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov.
Roofing complaints
To file a complaint against a roofing contractor, contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at 312-814-6910, or file a complaint directly on its website.
Download the Full Fact Sheet
Everything on this page is a summary. The official two-page document contains the complete text.
- Source: Office of the Illinois Attorney General, "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights," Rev. 04/2023.
- This page is provided for general information, is not legal advice, and does not replace the official document.
- J. Blanton Plumbing is licensed, bonded and insured in Illinois.