Lancaster Legal Blog

By Angela M. Ward, Attorney Homeownership should be a happy experience. The freedom afforded by owning your own home is a dream for many, but scam contractors and real estate agents can quickly turn that dream into a nightmare. In Lancaster County, homeowners have protections from contractor and real estate fraud under two important laws: The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law…

By Angela M. Ward, Attorney Homes have always been a central part of our lives. They're a place to gather with family and friends and a retreat at the end of a long day. In recent months, the home has become a place to work and learn as well.  Many homeowners spend thousands of dollars on their homes each year, maintenance projects like a…

By Angela Ward, Attorney It happens more often than we would like to believe, and right here in Lancaster County. A contractor offers to pave a homeowner's driveway at a good price with asphalt that he has left from another job, the homeowner wants to take advantage of this deal and pays him upfront without checking for licensing or references and never sees the…

By Angela M. Ward, Attorney Owning a home should be a happy experience. But sometimes careless or even dishonest contractors or real estate agents can cheat you out of money and peace of mind. You don't have to put up with it. In Pennsylvania, homeowners are protected from contractor and real estate fraud under The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL) and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. These…

By Angela Ward, Attorney Pennsylvania homeowners spent more than $8 billion on home improvements in 2018, with more than $9 billion in spending projected for 2019. If you're a Lancaster County homeowner, chances are you've spent hundreds or thousands on a home improvement project in the past or you will at some point in the future, especially if you decide to stay in your…

By Angela M. Ward, Attorney Owning a home should be a happy experience. But sometimes careless or even dishonest contractors or real estate agents can cheat you out of money and peace of mind. You don't have to put up with it. In Pennsylvania, homeowners are protected from contractor and real estate fraud under The Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (UTPCPL)…