Who can be considered an 'Owner' under the regulations?

In the context of home improvement licensing regulations, an 'Owner' is typically defined as an individual or entity that has legal ownership or a vested interest in the property. When the question states that anyone who purchases a custom home can be considered an 'Owner', it refers to the legal reality that purchasing a home grants the buyer rights and responsibilities regarding that property. This includes the right to make improvements or modifications, which is foundational to understanding home improvement laws.

The focus on the term 'purchases' highlights that ownership can be obtained through transactional means, which is the most straightforward and widely accepted definition in property law. Homeowners—those who directly invest in and own the residence—have the authority to engage contractors or make decisions pertaining to home improvements, thus fitting the definition of an 'Owner' as per the regulations governing such work.

In contrast, options that reference occupations or roles such as handyman, cooperative shareholders, or a project manager do not inherently signify ownership of the property. A handyman is typically a service provider, while cooperative shareholders may only own shares in a corporation that owns the property, thereby complicating the ownership status. A project manager, on the other hand, is involved in overseeing projects but is not necessarily an owner of the property itself.