Idaho roofing contract rules
What an Idaho roofing contract must say, how long you can back out, how much a roofer may ask up front, when a lien can follow and what a roofer may do about your insurance claim. Each rule is quoted from the statute or agency rule. Checked 2026-10-09.
Short answer: We did not confirm a separate Idaho cancel period for a roofing contract signed at your home, so the federal rule applies: 3 business days (16 CFR 429.1). An Idaho lien claimant must file its claim with the county recorder within 90 days after finishing its labor or services or furnishing its materials (Idaho Code § 45-507(1)-(2)). 11 rules on this page are quoted from official statutes, agency rules or regulator pages; 10 more are marked not confirmed.
State cancel period
not confirmed
Federal rule: 3 business days
Deposit rule
not confirmed
No deposit rule confirmed
Lien filing deadline
90 days
Idaho Code § 45-507(1)-(2)
Written contract
Rule quoted
Idaho Code § 45-525(2)
Find your last day to cancel
Only the signing date is needed for the cancel dates. Add the other dates when they happen and the rules that start from them get a calendar day too. Counting starts the day after the date you enter.
Enter the signing date to see your dates.
Days are counted the way each rule defines them: federal “business days” skip Sundays and federal holidays and count Saturdays; where a state rule defines business days as Monday to Friday we skip Saturdays and Sundays; where a rule says business days without defining them, or just says “days”, we count every calendar day and show the earliest possible date. State holidays are not subtracted, so a real deadline can fall a day or two later than shown. If the last day lands on a weekend, do not wait for it. General information from public rules, not legal advice.
Idaho against the other states
Calendar-day equivalents are used for the bars only (business days scaled by 7/5, months by 30, years by 365); the exact unit is in the tables.
Before you sign: Idaho checklist
Every line below comes from a rule on this page. Tick a line as you check it.
Idaho: written contract
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before you sign an Idaho home construction or repair contract above $2,000, the general contractor must give you a written disclosure statement that you sign to acknowledge receiving. Subsection (6) says the section does not apply where the homeowner or the homeowner's agent starts the contact to get repairs for a bona fide emergency or necessary repairs to an electrical, plumbing or water system. Failure to provide complete disclosures is an unlawful and deceptive act under the Idaho consumer protection act (§ 45-525(4)). |
Idaho Code § 45-525(2) Covers: A general contractor with a contract above $2,000 to build, alter or repair improvements on residential real property of one to four dwelling units (§ 45-525(2), (5)). | |
| A registered Idaho contractor must prominently display its contractor registration number on its advertising, contracts, permits and letterheads. | Idaho Code § 54-5214(2) |
Idaho: Mechanic's lien
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The Idaho general contractor's disclosure must tell you that you can require lien waivers from subcontractors, ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and require a surety bond at your expense. | Idaho Code § 45-525(2)(a)-(d) Covers: A general contractor with a contract above $2,000 to build, alter or repair improvements on residential real property of one to four dwelling units (§ 45-525(2), (5)). | |
| Before you make final payment on an Idaho home project, the general contractor must give you a signed written list of its subcontractors, suppliers and equipment renters that supplied more than $500 of work or materials. The list must be provided within a reasonable time before closing on a purchase agreement or before the final payment to the general contractor. |
Idaho Code § 45-525(3)(a) Covers: A general contractor with a contract above $2,000 to build, alter or repair improvements on residential real property of one to four dwelling units (§ 45-525(2), (5)). | |
| An Idaho lien claimant must file its claim with the county recorder within 90 days after finishing its labor or services or furnishing its materials. The claim is filed for record with the county recorder of the county where the property, or some part of it, is situated, and must be verified by oath (§ 45-507(1), (4)). |
90 days counted from completion of the work |
Idaho Code § 45-507(1)-(2) Covers: Any person claiming a lien under chapter 5, title 45 (liens of mechanics and materialmen). |
| Once an Idaho lien claim is filed against your property, the claimant must deliver or certified-mail a copy to you no later than five business days after filing. The five business days run from the filing of the claim of lien. |
5 business days counted from the date the rule names |
Idaho Code § 45-507(5) |
| An Idaho lien stops binding your property six months after the claim is filed unless the claimant has started a court case to enforce it, or a payment or extension of credit is recorded on the lien. A recorded payment on account or extension of credit restarts the six months from the payment or the credit expiration date. A final judgment lien ceases ten years after the judgment becomes final. |
6 months counted from the date the rule names |
Idaho Code § 45-510(1) |
| An Idaho contractor who is not registered, unless exempt, loses the right to place a mechanic's lien on real property. The section keeps lien rights for a registered subcontractor, and for an employee or supplier of an unregistered contractor who did not know, and reasonably believed the contractor was registered. |
Idaho Code § 54-5208 |
Idaho: after a disaster
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| After a governor- or president-declared disaster, Idaho law bars selling fuel, food, pharmaceuticals or drinking water to consumers at an exorbitant price. The subsection says no private cause of action exists under it. |
Idaho Code § 48-603(19) Covers: Fuel, food, pharmaceuticals and drinking water sold to consumers in the location and for the duration of a declared emergency. |
Idaho: other rules
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| In Idaho it is unlawful to work or advertise as a contractor without being registered under the Idaho Contractor Registration Act. The chapter has exemptions, including owners working on their own property and work with an aggregate contract price under $2,000 (§ 54-5205). |
Idaho Code § 54-5204(1) | |
| An unregistered Idaho contractor, unless exempt, cannot sue in an Idaho court to collect pay for work that required registration unless it proves it was registered throughout the job. Subsection (1) makes acting as a contractor without a current registration a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1,000, jail up to six months, or both. |
Idaho Code § 54-5217(2) |
What we could not confirm in Idaho
- A cooling-off right to cancel an Idaho home-solicitation sale: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (Idaho Code title 48 chapter 6 and chapter 10, which covers telephone solicitation only).
- A right to cancel an Idaho roofing contract if your insurer denies the claim: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (title 45 chapter 5, title 48 chapters 6 and 10, title 54 chapter 52).
- Whether Idaho requires a written home-repair or roofing contract: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read; § 45-525 requires a written disclosure statement but does not itself require a written contract.
- A cap on the deposit an Idaho roofer may ask for: not confirmed. No deposit limit found in the sections read (title 45 chapter 5, title 48 chapter 6, title 54 chapter 52).
- Whether an Idaho roofer must hold your deposit in trust: not confirmed. No such requirement found in the sections read.
- Rules on an Idaho contractor negotiating your insurance claim: not confirmed. Sections 41-1102, 41-1103 and 41-1106 define and license an adjuster as a person acting on behalf of the insurer; no provision on contractors negotiating a claim for the owner was found in the sections read.
- A ban on an Idaho roofer paying or waiving your insurance deductible: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read (title 41 chapter 11, title 48 chapter 6, title 54 chapter 52).
- Rules on assigning your insurance benefits to an Idaho roofer: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read.
- Special conduct rules for contractors after an Idaho disaster: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read; § 48-603(19) is limited to fuel, food, pharmaceuticals and drinking water.
- Deposit limits for repair work after an Idaho disaster: not confirmed. Not found in the sections read.
Idaho contract questions
- Can I cancel a roofing contract in Idaho?
- The federal Cooling-Off Rule (16 CFR 429.1) gives 3 business days to cancel a sale made at your home. We did not confirm a separate Idaho cancel period for roofing.
- What is a mechanic's lien on a house in Idaho?
- Idaho Code § 45-507(1)-(2): An Idaho lien claimant must file its claim with the county recorder within 90 days after finishing its labor or services or furnishing its materials. The claim is filed for record with the county recorder of the county where the property, or some part of it, is situated, and must be verified by oath (§ 45-507(1), (4)).
Why contracts get signed fast after an Idaho hailstorm
NOAA lists 1 Idaho city in our data with 4 city-days of hail at 1 inch or more since 2014; the largest stone was 1.5 inches and the busiest month is Apr.
Idaho cities we cover
| City | Cost | Roofers |
|---|---|---|
| Boise | Roof age | Roofers in Boise |
Where each Idaho rule comes from
| Rule | Source | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract: no fixed number Before you sign an Idaho home construction or repair contract above $2,000, the general contractor must give you a written disclosure statement that you sign to acknowledge receiving. |
Idaho Code § 45-525(2) statute text Quote“Prior to entering into any contract in an amount exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000) with a homeowner or residential real property purchaser to construct, alter or repair any improvements on residential real property ... the general contractor shall provide to the homeowner a disclosure statement setting forth the information specified in this subsection. The statement shall contain an acknowledgment of receipt to be executed by the homeowner” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2020-09-30 |
| Written contract: no fixed number A registered Idaho contractor must prominently display its contractor registration number on its advertising, contracts, permits and letterheads. |
Idaho Code § 54-5214(2) statute text Quote“A contractor registered pursuant to this chapter shall prominently display his contractor registration number for public view in his place of business, on advertising, contracts, permits, company or business letterheads, and purchase orders and subcontracts” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2021-07-22 |
| Mechanic's lien: no fixed number The Idaho general contractor's disclosure must tell you that you can require lien waivers from subcontractors, ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and require a surety bond at your expense. |
Idaho Code § 45-525(2)(a)-(d) statute text Quote“shall have the right at the reasonable expense of the homeowner or residential real property purchaser to require that the general contractor obtain lien waivers from any subcontractors providing services or materials to the general contractor ... proof that the general contractor has a general liability insurance policy including completed operations in effect ... shall have the right to require, at the homeowner's or residential real property purchaser's expense, a surety bond in an amount up to the value of the construction project” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2020-09-30 |
| Mechanic's lien: no fixed number Before you make final payment on an Idaho home project, the general contractor must give you a signed written list of its subcontractors, suppliers and equipment renters that supplied more than $500 of work or materials. |
Idaho Code § 45-525(3)(a) statute text Quote“A general contractor shall provide to a prospective residential real property purchaser or homeowner a written disclosure statement, which shall be signed by the general contractor listing the business names, addresses and telephone numbers of all subcontractors, materialmen and rental equipment providers having a direct contractual relationship with the general contractor and who have supplied materials or performed work on the residential property of a value in excess of five hundred dollars ($500)” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2020-09-30 |
| Mechanic's lien: 90 days An Idaho lien claimant must file its claim with the county recorder within 90 days after finishing its labor or services or furnishing its materials. |
Idaho Code § 45-507(1)-(2) statute text Quote“The claim shall be filed within ninety (90) days after the completion of the labor or services, or furnishing of materials.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2019-07-24 |
| Mechanic's lien: 5 business days Once an Idaho lien claim is filed against your property, the claimant must deliver or certified-mail a copy to you no later than five business days after filing. |
Idaho Code § 45-507(5) statute text Quote“A true and correct copy of the claim of lien shall be served on the owner or reputed owner of the property either by delivering a copy thereof to the owner or reputed owner personally or by mailing a copy thereof by certified mail to the owner or reputed owner at his last known address. Such delivery or mailing shall be made no later than five (5) business days following the filing of said claim of lien.” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2019-07-24 |
| Mechanic's lien: 6 months An Idaho lien stops binding your property six months after the claim is filed unless the claimant has started a court case to enforce it, or a payment or extension of credit is recorded on the lien. |
Idaho Code § 45-510(1) statute text Quote“No lien provided for in this chapter binds any building, mining claim, improvement or structure for a longer period than six (6) months after the claim has been filed, unless proceedings be commenced in a proper court within that time to enforce such lien” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2019-07-18 |
| Mechanic's lien: no fixed number An Idaho contractor who is not registered, unless exempt, loses the right to place a mechanic's lien on real property. |
Idaho Code § 54-5208 statute text Quote“A contractor who is not registered as set forth in this chapter, unless otherwise exempt, shall be denied and shall be deemed to have conclusively waived any right to place a lien upon real property as provided for in chapter 5, title 45” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2021-07-22 |
| After a disaster: no fixed number After a governor- or president-declared disaster, Idaho law bars selling fuel, food, pharmaceuticals or drinking water to consumers at an exorbitant price. |
Idaho Code § 48-603(19) statute text Quote“by selling or offering to sell to the ultimate consumer fuel or food, pharmaceuticals, or water for human consumption at an exorbitant or excessive price; provided however, this subsection shall apply only to the location and for the duration of the declaration of emergency” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2020-08-06 |
| Other rules: no fixed number In Idaho it is unlawful to work or advertise as a contractor without being registered under the Idaho Contractor Registration Act. |
Idaho Code § 54-5204(1) statute text Quote“it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of, or hold himself out as, a contractor within this state without being registered as required in this chapter” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2021-07-22 |
| Other rules: no fixed number An unregistered Idaho contractor, unless exempt, cannot sue in an Idaho court to collect pay for work that required registration unless it proves it was registered throughout the job. |
Idaho Code § 54-5217(2) statute text Quote“No person engaged in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor, unless otherwise exempt, may bring or maintain any action in any court of this state for the collection of compensation for the performance of any act or contract for which registration is required by this chapter” |
2026-10-09 archived copy of official page Archived copy, 2021-07-22 |
Nearby states
Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado or all states.
Related: Idaho claim deadlines, Idaho roofers, insurer roof-age rules.