scope of work
What do you need done?
the guide
Design, zoning, then price
Large projects start with what the municipality allows — setbacks, lot coverage and height — then drawings, then pricing. A contractor cannot give a firm number without a defined scope.
What affects the price
Structural changes, the number of trades involved, the level of finish, and how much of the existing house has to be brought up to current code once walls are opened.
Choosing a contractor
Look for someone who has built this type of project recently, will name the supervisor on your job, and provides a written contract with a milestone payment schedule and a change-order process.
Rules and paperwork in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires most contractors who perform home improvements to register with the Attorney General’s office and to give you a written contract for any job over $500. The registration number belongs on the estimate and the contract — ask for it.
- Building permits in Pennsylvania are issued under the Uniform Construction Code by each municipality or the inspection agency it appoints, so the local building or codes office decides what needs a permit and an inspection.
- In homes built before 1978, federal rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces to be EPA Lead-Safe Certified and to use lead-safe work practices.
- Much of southeastern Pennsylvania is in EPA’s highest radon potential zone, and elevated levels have been found in every county. Test before finishing or sealing below-grade space; Pennsylvania certifies radon testers and mitigators through the Department of Environmental Protection.
Sources: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act; Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code; U.S. EPA — Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule; U.S. EPA radon zone map; Pennsylvania DEP Radon Division. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the agency and with your municipality.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Have you built this type of project in my municipality?
- Who supervises the job day to day?
- How are changes priced and approved?
- What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration number?
Frequently asked questions
How long does an addition take in my town?
Design, zoning and permits commonly take as long as construction. Ask for a schedule that shows both.
What deposit is allowed?
On home-improvement contracts over $5,000, Pennsylvania limits the deposit to one third of the contract price plus special-order materials.
Do I need an architect?
For additions and structural changes, stamped drawings are often required for the permit. Design-build contractors provide them in-house.
the crew
Verified home remodeling & additions contractors
We are still onboarding verified home remodeling & additions contractors. You can submit a request and we will tell you honestly if we cannot match it — your details are never shared unless a verified contractor is available.
This trade typically requires a license or state registration. Contractors receive home remodeling & additions requests only after we have reviewed theirs.