Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane recently warned Commonwealth residents to be cautious of "traveling" or "transient" home improvement contractors, who often use the springtime to target property owners in various scams.

        "These scams have the potential to cost consumers thousands of dollars," Kane said. "Be cautious and do your due diligence when selecting a contractor to work on your property."

        The Office of Attorney General typically begins to see an influx of "transient" contractors offering to paint homes or pave driveways each spring. The work performed often is shoddy, forcing consumers to pay someone else to correct the job.

        Complaints involving home improvements or repairs are among the top subjects of calls to the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection. The bureau offers the following tips for consumers to avoid falling victim to such scams:

        •Do not let anyone rush you into a home improvement project.

        •Do not do business with contractors who appear at your door unexpectedly and point out problems with your home or offer a "good deal" on repair work.

        •Do not allow any contractor, utility company or "inspector" in your home without confirming their identity.

        •Homeowners, especially senior citizens, should rely on family, friends or neighbors for assistance in hiring a home improvement contractor.

        •Make sure you have a written contract explaining guarantees, warranties, the price of labor/materials and the contractor's registration number and contact information.

        The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) establishes a mandatory registration program for contractors who offer or perform home improvements in Pennsylvania. The statute is applicable to any contractor performing more than $5,000 of work in a calendar year.

        The statute also establishes minimum insurance requirements for contractors; requires contractors to provide their registration number in their ads and contracts; establishes required contract terms for home improvement contracts; and creates a criminal penalty for home improvement fraud.

        Property owners are encouraged to check with the Office of Attorney General to verify contractor registration. In addition, consumers should also contact the Better Business Bureau, check the contractors' references and obtain multiple estimates.

        All home improvement contracts must contain the Office of Attorney General's toll-free HICPA number, 1-888-520-6680, which consumers can call to verify whether a contractor is registered.