Contractor deposit limits, license lookups and permit sources by state

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1158.01(A) (intro): "A. In addition to the requirements of section 32-1158, a licensed contractor who enters into a contract for the construction or installation of a residential in-ground swimming pool or spa with a purchaser who resides in the residence or who intends to reside in the residence after the completion of the contract shall include at least the following provisions:" (source, read 22 October 2026)

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1158.01(A)(2)(a): "(a) A down payment payable on the execution of the contract of not more than fifteen percent of the original contract price." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 32-1158.01(B): "B. If a purchaser requires the contractor to furnish a payment and performance bond securing the performance of the contract, the contract provisions required by subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section may be changed in any manner agreed to by the parties to the contract." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159.5(a)(3): "(3) If a downpayment will be charged, the downpayment shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever amount is less." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159.5(a)(8): "(8) A contractor furnishing a performance and payment bond, lien and completion bond, or a bond equivalent or joint control approved by the registrar covering full performance and payment is exempt from paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), and need not include, as part of the contract, the statement regarding the downpayment specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (d) of Section 7159, the details and statement regarding progress payments specified in paragraph (9) of subdivision (d) of Section 7159, or the Mechanics Lien Warning specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (e) of Section 7159." (source, read 22 October 2026)

10 M.R.S. § 1487 (intro): "§1487. Home construction contracts Any home construction contract for more than $3,000 in materials or labor must be in writing and must be signed by both the home construction contractor and the homeowner or lessee. Both the contractor and the homeowner or lessee must receive a copy of the executed contract prior to any work performance. This basic contract must contain the entire agreement between the homeowner or lessee and the home construction contractor and must contain at least the following parts:" (source, read 22 October 2026)

10 M.R.S. § 1487(5): "5. Payment. The method of payment, with the initial down payment being limited to no more than 1/3 of the total contract price;" (source, read 22 October 2026)

Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 8-617(b): "(b) A person may not receive a deposit of more than one-third of the home improvement contract price before or at the time of execution of the home improvement contract." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 142A, § 2(a)(6): "(6) a time schedule of payments to be made under said contract and the amount of each payment stated in dollars, including all finance charges. Any deposit required under the contract to be paid in advance of the commencement of work under said contract shall not exceed the greater of one-third of the total contract price or the actual cost of any materials or equipment of a special order or custom made nature, which must be ordered in advance of the commencement of work, in order to assure that the project will proceed on schedule. No final payment shall be demanded until the contract is completed to the satisfaction of the parties thereto;" (source, read 22 October 2026)

NRS 624.970(1): "… On and after October 1, 2023, any contract entered into between a residential contractor and the owner of a single-family residence who occupies the single-family residence for work concerning a residential improvement must comply with the provisions of this section and all applicable regulations adopted by the Board. …" (source, read 22 October 2026)

NRS 624.970(1)(b): "… A contract that does not comply with the provisions of: … (b) Paragraph (g) of subsection 2 is voidable by the owner of the single-family residence." (source, read 22 October 2026)

NRS 624.970(2)(g): "(g) The amount, not to exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the aggregate contract price, whichever is less, of any initial down payment or deposit paid or promised to be paid to the residential contractor by the owner before the start of the work. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply if the residential contractor has filed with the Board a bond solely for the protection of consumers in the amount of $100,000 or has been granted relief by the Board pursuant to subsection 5 of NRS 624.270." (source, read 22 October 2026)

NRS 624.970(7)(d): "… The term does not include work concerning a residential photovoltaic system used to produce electricity, as defined in NRS 624.855, or work concerning a residential pool or spa, as defined in NRS 624.915." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act 132 of 2008, 73 P.S. § 517.9(10)(i) (HICPA §9(10)(i)): "(10) (i) Except as provided under subparagraph (ii), for a home improvement contract in which the total price is more than $5,000, receive a deposit in excess of: (A) one-third of the home improvement contract price; or (B) one-third of the home improvement contract price plus the cost of special order materials that will be ordered, as designated in the written contract." (source, read 22 October 2026)

Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act 132 of 2008, 73 P.S. § 517.9(10)(ii) (HICPA §9(10)(ii)): "(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) shall not apply to a home improvement retailer, regardless of net worth, who does all of the following: (A) Posts an irrevocable letter of credit payable to the bureau for the use and benefit of every person protected by the provisions of this subparagraph in a form approved by the bureau, in the amount of $100,000 per store location but not to exceed $2,000,000 for a home improvement retailer that has multiple stores. (B) Ensures that its contractors are registered under this act and have proof of liability insurance as defined in section 4(a)(1)(ix)." (source, read 22 October 2026)

26 V.S.A. § 5509(c)(1): "(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." (source, read 22 October 2026)

26 V.S.A. § 5509(c)(2): "(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." (source, read 22 October 2026)