CSLB Law & Business ExamContract Requirements and ExecutionHard
Under California law, when may a contractor begin work on a home improvement project after the contract has been signed?
- AAfter collecting the full contract price from the homeowner
- BAfter receiving verbal permission from any adult family member of the homeowner
- CImmediately after signing, regardless of the cancellation period
- DOnly after the three-business-day cancellation period has expired, unless it is validly waived
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Only after the three-business-day cancellation period has expired, unless it is validly waived
Contractors must generally wait until the three-business-day cancellation period has expired before beginning work or supplying materials, unless the homeowner validly waives the right (such as for a bona fide emergency). This protects the homeowner's statutory right to cancel without losing money on started work.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Full payment upfront exceeds legal down payment limits and is unrelated to timing rules.
- B. A family member's verbal permission has no legal bearing on contract timing rules.
- C. Beginning work immediately would undermine the homeowner's cancellation right.
Timing of Work Commencement
Contractors must wait until the 3-business-day cancellation period expires before starting work, unless validly waived.
- Protects homeowner's cancellation right
- Waiver allowed only for genuine emergencies
- Starting early risks violating consumer protection law
Memory trick: Wait three days before the first nail