Rhode Island contractor law is complex and constantly evolving. The following is an overview of the laws that are of most concern and interest to contractors with links to the full text of laws passed by the Legislature. This is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of every law.
Regulatory Compliance
Chapter 65 of Title 5 of the Rhode Island General Laws sets forth the contractors regulatory compliance obligations in Rhode Island. This addresses who needs to register with the Contractors’ Registration Board, the requirements to register, the Board’s authority to discipline contractors, the contractors’ requirements when engaging subcontractors, the proper way to advertise, that all contract in excess of $1,000 must be in writing, the specific terms that need to be included in the contract, and the notices that must be provided to a homeowner including for a mechanics’ lien.
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE5/5-65/INDEX.HTM
Door-to-Door Sales Act
The Door-to-Door Sales Act is set forth at Chapter 28 of Title 6 of the Rhode Island General Laws. It applies to contractor’s to the extent the sale of the contractor’s services is made outside of the contractor’s principal place of business. It requires the contractor to provide a written notice to the homeowner in the contract and specifies how the notice should be provided. The homeowner is entitled to a 3-day period to rescind the contract and all monies paid by the homeowner to the contractor must be refunded if the contractor has begin purchasing materials or providing labor.
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE6/6-28/INDEX.HTM
Mechanics’ Lien Statute
Chapter 28 of Title 34 of the Rhode Island General Laws sets forth the procedure for filing a mechanics’ lien against a homeowner’s land for non-payment of labor or materials.
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-28/INDEX.HTM