In California, there are specific laws governing home improvement contracts. According to the Home Improvement Contract Law, any agreement between a homeowner and a contractor for home improvement projects must be in writing. The contract should include important details such as the full terms of the agreement, the total cost of the project, a description of the work to be performed, and a schedule for completion. It is also required that the contractor provides a copy of a completed contract to the homeowner before work commences. These laws exist to protect consumers from fraudulent or inadequate work by ensuring transparency and accountability in the contracting process.