A contractor quotes $8,200 for kitchen remodeling work. The homeowner agrees and wants to start immediately. What must the contractor do before beginning work?
Correct Answer
A) Provide a written contract with all required disclosures
Since the contract exceeds $500, B&P Code 7159 requires a written contract with all required disclosures before work can begin.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
B&P Code Section 7159 requires a written contract with all required disclosures for any home improvement project where the total contract price (including labor and materials) exceeds $500. At $8,200, this threshold is far exceeded. The written contract must be executed before work begins — not after, not concurrently.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Collect full payment in advance
Collecting full payment in advance is not only unnecessary before beginning work but is actually prohibited. California limits the initial deposit to 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Demanding full payment upfront would itself be a violation.
Option C: Obtain a building permit
Obtaining a building permit may or may not be required depending on the scope of the kitchen remodel, but it is not the first legal obligation triggered by the contract amount. The mandatory written contract requirement under B&P 7159 is the threshold legal action before work commences.
Option D: Wait 3 days after verbal agreement
There is no 3-day waiting period after a verbal agreement before a contractor can begin work. The law requires a written contract before starting — not a waiting period. Conflating the 3-day right of rescission (which applies to home solicitation sales) with work commencement rules is a common trap.
Memory Technique
B&P 7159: '$500 = write it down.' Any home improvement job over $500 demands a written contract before a single nail is driven. Think of it as your legal 'starter key' — no written contract, no ignition.
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