CSLB Law & Business ExamContract Requirements and ExecutionMedium
A homeowner is asked to sign a home improvement contract, but the total contract price and description of work are left blank, with the contractor promising to fill them in later. Is this practice permitted under California law?
- AYes, if the homeowner initials next to each blank space
- BYes, as long as the contractor fills in the blanks within 3 days
- CNo, the contract must be complete with no blank spaces before the homeowner signs
- DNo, but only if the contract price exceeds $10,000
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. No, the contract must be complete with no blank spaces before the homeowner signs
California law prohibits home improvement contracts from containing blank spaces to be filled in after the homeowner signs. All material terms, including price and scope of work, must be complete at the time of signing to protect the homeowner from later alteration.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Initialing blanks does not cure the violation of leaving terms incomplete.
- B. Filling blanks later, even within days, violates the completeness requirement.
- D. The prohibition applies regardless of contract price.
Blank Contract Prohibition
Home improvement contracts must be fully filled out with no blank spaces before the homeowner signs.
- Applies to price, scope, and dates
- Protects against later unauthorized changes
- Violation regardless of contract amount
Memory trick: Fill it all before you sign it all