BuildTrust AIWhen do you legally need a written contract?
Every state sets a dollar threshold above which home-improvement work must be in writing. Here's how to find yours.
Almost every U.S. state has a home-improvement contract statute. Below a certain dollar amount — often $500 or $1,000 — a handshake is legally fine. Above it, the contractor is required to put the deal in writing, and skipping that step can void their right to collect.
California's threshold is $500. New York's is $500 for most home-improvement work. Massachusetts requires a written contract for any residential job over $1,000. Florida, Texas, and Illinois have their own rules tied to licensing rather than a flat dollar figure.
The takeaway: even on a small job, ask. BuildTrust's state threshold lookup gives you the current number for your state and tells you what clauses the law requires. If you're a contractor working casually, knowing your threshold is the difference between a paid invoice and an unenforceable one.