When Illinois requires a written home repair contract, what it should include, and your cancellation rights. Check the Act for exceptions.
Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, a contractor must give you a written contract or work order for home repair or remodeling work costing more than $1,000. The Illinois Attorney General says it must describe the work and state the total cost, and both sides must sign. Read the Act itself for exceptions.
This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. The exact text is on ilga.gov, Section 15. If your situation is unusual, check the Act or ask a lawyer.
When is a written contract required?
The Attorney General's May 2025 consumer alert says the Act requires contractors to provide customers with written contracts for any repair or remodeling work costing more than $1,000, and that the contract must be signed by both the customer and the contractor.
The Attorney General's Home Repair and Construction: Know Your Rights guide (dated 02.19 on the document) says that for home repair contracts over $1,000 you have the right to a written contract or work order that describes the work and states the total cost.
We could not confirm from an official page how the Act treats edge cases, such as several small jobs billed separately. Read the Act or ask the Attorney General's office if that matters for your job.
What should the contract say?
From the Attorney General's guide, the contract should:
- State the contractor's business name, and a residential address if the contractor uses a P.O. box to receive mail.
- Describe the work and state the total cost, including parts and materials with some detail, such as quality and grade.
- Specify the timing of the work and the payment schedule, including down payment, subsequent payments and final payment.
- Specify grounds for terminating the contract. The guide notes the homeowner remains responsible for completed work even if the contract is canceled.
If the contractor fails to begin or finish within the contracted time, the guide says the homeowner may cancel and may be entitled to a refund of down payments or other payments upon written demand by certified mail.
What else must the contractor give me?
According to the same guide:
- A copy of the brochure "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights," the text of which is specified in the Act.
- For contracts over $1,000, a signed and dated acknowledgment that you received the brochure, with duplicate copies for you.
- If the contract has a binding arbitration clause, notice before you sign that disputes go to arbitration instead of court, and a jury trial waiver that you can accept or reject. The contractor may reject the contract if you reject those terms.
The Attorney General's alert adds that the law requires contractors to carry at least the minimum amounts of insurance for property damage, bodily injury and improper home repair.
What cancellation rights do I have?
Per the Attorney General's guide:
- Three business days. You have three business days from signing to cancel a contract if the sale is made at your home and is over $25. The contractor must disclose this right and give you a cancellation form.
- Insurance-funded work. If you plan to file an insurance claim to pay for the work, you may cancel within five business days after written notice that your insurer denied the claim, or within 30 days after you sent the claim, whichever occurs first. The contractor must disclose this too.
The alert states the disaster-repair timing in slightly different words, so confirm the current wording in the Act or with the Attorney General if you may need to rely on it.
What about liens?
The guide says that before you pay, you should request a signed and notarized written statement listing everyone your contractor hired and what they are owed. Those people can file a lien against your home under the Mechanics Lien Act if they are not paid, so it recommends getting lien waivers.
What does this mean for small handyman jobs?
Many small repairs come in under the threshold, but a list of several items can add up. If your total could go over $1,000, ask for a written contract anyway. Even below that, a written scope protects both sides. See What should a handyman quote include? and How do I vet a handyman?
Plumbing, electrical and roofing work goes to licensed independent contractors. See Handyman vs. licensed contractor in Illinois.
Where do I report a problem?
The Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotlines are 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago), 1-800-243-0618 (Springfield) and 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale). Complaints can be filed on the Attorney General's File a Complaint page. The office says it cannot act as your private attorney.
FAQ
Is a text message or email enough?
The Attorney General's guidance refers to a written contract or work order. Whether a text counts depends on the facts and the Act. For work over $1,000, get a signed contract.
Does the $1,000 threshold include materials?
The Attorney General says the contract should state the total cost and include parts and materials. Check the Act for how the threshold is measured.
Can I cancel after I sign?
Possibly. The Attorney General lists a three-business-day right for sales made at your home over $25, and a separate right for insurance-funded work. Read the cancellation form you were given.
Should I pay in full up front?
No. The Attorney General's alert advises never making full payment until all work is completed to your satisfaction, and never paying in cash.
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