Use this guide
Choose the questions relevant to your situation. Expand each answer, save the checklist and request written clarification where evidence is missing.
Questions homeowners ask
When does the home-construction written-contract rule apply?
Section 1487 covers home construction contracts exceeding $3,000 in materials or labor. It requires both parties’ signatures and copies before work. Confirm how the rule applies to your proposed scope.
Source: Maine Legislature: Title 10 section 1487 home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Which dates belong in the covered contract?
The statute calls for estimated start and substantial-completion dates. It allows changes for circumstances beyond the contractor’s control; preserve the reason and revised schedule.
Source: Maine Legislature: Title 10 section 1487 home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What initial payment limit does the statute describe?
Section 1487 limits the initial down payment to one-third of the total contract price. Review the payment schedule and any proposed waiver with a qualified adviser.
Source: Maine Legislature: Title 10 section 1487 home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
How should a price-changing alteration be documented?
The statute requires a change-order statement calling for a written change order when altered specifications revise the price. Keep the agreed scope and signed revision together.
Source: Maine Legislature: Title 10 section 1487 home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Does a manufacturer warranty replace every contract provision?
Section 1487 includes a contractor warranty statement and dispute-resolution provisions. Read the actual statutory wording and contract; equipment coverage alone does not answer every workmanship question.
Source: Maine Legislature: Title 10 section 1487 home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Must I waive my rights to obtain a contract?
The Attorney General says you are not required to waive statutory rights to contract with a contractor. A permitted waiver requires specific information about rights and written agreement.
Source: Maine Attorney General: home construction contracts. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
What solar costs should I ask the preparer to explain?
The Attorney General’s solar guide recommends lifetime pricing including interest and fees, plus metering, inverter replacement, roof-related removal and other costs. Ask which are included or excluded.
Source: Maine Attorney General: solar power systems. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Which responsibilities need their own written answer?
The solar guide recommends clarifying maintenance, warranties, roof work, home transfer, permits and end-of-contract removal. Identify the responsible party rather than relying on a general promise.
Source: Maine Attorney General: solar power systems. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
Your decision checklist
- Identify the seller, installer and actual scope.
- Check whether the home-construction rules apply.
- Keep the executed contract before work begins.
- Reconcile price, payment schedule and estimated dates.
- Read the actual warranty and dispute language.
- Retain signed change orders and consumer information.
- Resolve any proposed waiver before signing.
- Confirm trade authority, local permits and utility steps separately.
Save or print this guide from your browser. Keep completed records privately.
Before signing: resolve the contract records
| Record | What to retain |
|---|---|
| Parties and scope | Seller, installer, property and described equipment/work |
| Price and timing | Total price, payments, estimated dates and exclusions |
| Changes | Written scope revision, price effect and signatures |
| Responsibilities | Workmanship, equipment, roof work, transfer and permits |
| Rights and terms | Statutory wording, consumer addendum, dispute terms and any waiver |
Example: the salesperson promises that roof-related work is included, while the proposed agreement lists it as an exclusion. Keep both statements and request a corrected scope before deciding. Do not treat a verbal estimate as an executed agreement or assume the disagreement has been resolved.
Example: the design changes after an onsite assessment and the price rises. Keep the original description, the proposed revision and its price effect together. Ask the contractor to provide the applicable written change order and explain the new schedule before authorizing the changed work.
Pros: a complete written packet makes competing offers and later changes easier to compare. Cons: collecting paperwork takes time, and documents still require review for exclusions, inconsistent promises and the parties’ actual ability to perform. A signature, registration or warranty is not a guarantee of workmanship or financial recovery. These are editorial tradeoffs, not predictions about a contractor.
Reviewed October 6, 2026 against the official sources cited with each answer. The questions summarize selected provisions; they do not reproduce all mandatory language, decide whether your transaction is covered or evaluate enforceability. Read the complete statute and seek qualified advice for scope, waiver or dispute questions. This organizer is not legal advice or an approved Maine contract form. Do not use it to waive rights or operate equipment.
Before selling or installing in a Maine market, have the responsible professional review the actual agreement, required consumer information, sales channel, payment terms and change-order process for the proposed scope. Keep electrical trade authority, local permitting, utility approval and business obligations as separate checks. General home-contractor guidance does not establish permission to perform electrical work. This page addresses contract preparation and homeowner review, not every requirement for entering the market.
Continue with quote and financing comparisons, installer selection and Maine credit and subscription records. Solar Survey AI’s evidence methodology and an agreed survey scope can support documented site inputs; confirm availability, qualifications and conflicts. A site assessment does not draft a legal contract, decide a dispute or guarantee approval. Homeowner monitoring connections and planned remote diagnosis remain coming soon.
Continue your research
About these guides
Published by Solar Survey AI, a commercial survey-services company. Our original decision checklists are recommendations; linked authorities support the referenced facts. We may benefit if you purchase our services. This is not independent certification of our company, a project-specific engineering decision or personal tax/legal advice. Local rules, contracts and site evidence control individual decisions. Reviewed 2026-10-06.
For available survey or inspection services, confirm your project scope and availability with our team. Our planned free homeowner remote diagnosis remains coming soon.
Survey services · Inspection services · Monitoring early access