The provincial government has announced new rules for contractors, including requiring most home improvement projects feature written contracts.
The contracts will have to lay out the price, payment terms and timelines for the project and the contractor will have to give a copy of the contract to homeowners before any work can begin.
Contractors who sell home improvement services door-to-door or by mail will also have to comply with the legislation.
The province said it worked with the home renovation industry to make sure the rules make sense for contractors and others who provide home improvement services.
"We have long advocated the best way to ensure consumers are satisfied with a home improvement project is to get it in writing," said Mike Moore, president, Manitoba Home Builders' Association, in a statement. "The Manitoba government's proposed initiative will do just that, helping to ensure consumers and contractors are on the same page, which will avoid surprises later on."
More consumer-protection information is available on the province’s website.
