The service and repair contract: the $750 short form, and the four conditions that keep it short
In one paragraph
A dead outlet, a tripping breaker, a fan that hums: most service calls fit a short contract that skips the deposit schedule and the three-day cancellation wait. B&P 7159.10 allows it only when four things are true at once: the price is $750 or less, the customer called you, you fix only the problem they called about, and you collect nothing until the work is complete. Break any one and the job silently becomes a full home improvement contract with every notice from the last two lessons. Here is the form and where the line is.
The rule
A service and repair contract is available only if the contract amount is $750 or less, the buyer initiated contact to request the work, the contractor sells no goods or services beyond those reasonably necessary for the problem that caused the call, and no payment is due or accepted until the work is completed (B&P 7159.10(a)). If any requirement is not met, the home improvement contract requirements of 7159(c)-(e) apply, including the right to rescind, regardless of price (7159.10(b)).
Why it matters
The short form is a real convenience: one page, paid on completion, no cancellation waiting period. It is also a trap for upsells. The moment a $700 service call becomes 'and while I am here, let me add the whole-home surge protector,' the fourth condition and usually the first are gone, and the job needed a full contract with the three-day right to cancel before you touched the panel.