The Vermont Statutes Online
The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 26 : Professions and Occupations
Chapter 106 : Residential Contractors
Subchapter 003 : Registrations
(Cite as: 26 V.S.A. § 5509)-
§ 5509. Requirements of registrants
(a) Insurance. A person registered under this chapter shall maintain minimum liability insurance coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 aggregate, evidence of which may be required as a precondition to issuance or renewal of a registration.
(b) Writing.
(1) A person registered under this chapter shall execute a written contract prior to receiving a deposit or commencing residential construction work if the estimated value of the labor and materials exceeds $10,000.00.
(2) A contract shall specify:
(A) Price. One of the following provisions for the price of the contract:
(i) a maximum price for all work and materials;
(ii) a statement that billing and payment will be made on a time and materials basis, not to exceed a maximum price; or
(iii) a statement that billing and payment will be made on a time and materials basis and that there is no maximum price.
(B) Work dates. Estimated start and completion dates.
(C) Scope of work. A description of the services to be performed and a description of the materials to be used.
(D) Change order provision. A description of how and when amendments to the contract may be approved and documented, as agreed by the parties.
(3) The parties shall document an amendment to the contract in a signed writing.
(c) Down payment.
(1) If a contract specifies a maximum price for all work and materials or a statement that billing and payment will be made on a time and materials basis, not to exceed a maximum price, the contract may require a down payment of up to one-half of the cost of labor to the consumer, or one-half of the price of materials, whichever is greater.
(2) If a contract specifies that billing and payment will be made on a time and materials basis and that there is no maximum price, the contract may require a down payment as negotiated by the parties. (Added 2021, No. 182 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. July 1, 2022.)
