Preamble

The Nevada State Contractors Board reminds you to exercise your rights and responsibilities when making home improvements. As a Nevada homeowner, you have the following rights when working with contractors:

Hiring a Contractor:

• You have the right to hire only licensed contractors and to check the license through the Nevada State Contractors Board at www.nscb.state.nv.us
• You have the right to examine a contractor’s past work and to check references
• You have the right to get at least three bids from licensed contractors before hiring a contractor

Project Payments

• You have the right to make payments as work is completed
• You have the right not to pay cash for home improvement projects
• You have the right to withhold a final payment until the work agreed upon in the contract is completed

Project Paperwork

• You have the right to require that the contract include one project price, which includes all labor and materials
• You have the right to negotiate a clear contract that includes a written payment schedule and completion date
• You have the right to review the contract and only sign it when you understand the terms
• You have the right to require your contractor to obtain a building permit for your project

Consumer Responsibilities

As a consumer, you have these rights, but you also have the responsibility to properly plan and manage your project and insist on your rights

Homeowner’s Rights Checklist

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

• Read the Home Improvement Bill of Rights

Hiring

• Hire only licensed contractors
• Ask to see the contractor’s official NSCB pocket card
• Get at least three written bids from licensed contractors
• Verify that all bids are for the same scope of work
• Check contractor’s status with the
  Nevada State Contractors Board at
  ww.nscb.state.nv.us
• Ask for references and follow up by inspecting the contractor’s completed work

The Contract

• Negotiate a clear and complete written contract
• Insist on specific written descriptions
• Look for: (not all of these items are required)
  • One price for the work to be done
  • Contractor’s license number and monetary limit
  • Specific descriptions of work to be done and materials to be used
  • Start and completion dates
  • An agreement that the contractor will obtain building permits
  • A payment schedule including the down payment amount
  • A “Notices to Owner” regarding lien laws and the Residential Recovery Fund
  • A notice that the contractor carries commercial general liability insurance and the carrier.
• Insist that all changes, additions and deletions to the contract are in writing
• Create a job management file and keep the written contract, change orders, payment records and all other documents in it

Payments

• Pay as work is completed according to the contract schedule
• Don’t let payments get ahead of the work
• Avoid cash payments

Subcontractors and Liens

• Make a list of all subcontractors and check their licenses with the NCSB
• Get lien releases signed by all subcontractors & material suppliers
• Keep a record of all material deliveries, dates & progress of work

Nevada State Contractors Board Locations