In California, homeowners have three days to cancel a contractor agreement, except when the contract involves service and repair work or was arranged at the contractor's business location.
Cooling-off Rule is a rule that allows you to cancel a contract within a few days (usually three days) after signing it. As explained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal cooling-off rules gives the consumer three days to cancel certain sales for a full refund.
For example, in order for an agreement to meet the definition of a contract in California and to have legal weight: There must be a meeting of the minds. The parties must intend to enter into a contract and must both have the same understanding of the terms of the agreement.
In California, the relationship between businesses and independent contractors is subject to strict legal standards. As of January 1, 2025, having a written contract with certain types of independent contractors is required by law.