A new law designed to protect Pennsylvania residents from home improvement fraud will go into effect July 1, bringing with it significant changes in how contractors do business, and sizeable penalties for noncompliance.

Anyone who makes at least $5,000 a year performing repairs or renovations to residential properties in the state will fall under the mandates of the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Landscapers are exempt if they only cut grass or plant trees, but must meet the act’s requirements if they do any hardscape work, such as retaining walls, fences, fountains and walkways.