Department of Consumer Protection Advise To Consumers: ‘Do Your Homework’ Before Hiring Home Improvement Contractors

HARTFORD ­— “Whether you’re planning to repave your driveway, build an addition to your home, or install an in-ground pool this season, make sure that first you do the all-important research and planning,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez said this week. That includes ensuring that any home improvement workers that you hire are registered with the Department of Consumer Protection.

“Failing to hire a registered contractor could cost you dearly, as thousands of homeowners in Connecticut find out each year,” Commissioner Rodriguez said.

A home improvement contractor is defined as anyone who performs improvements on residential property in Connecticut when the individual job exceeds $200 and when the cash price of all work performed in one year is more than $1,000. All home improvement contractors — including roofers, addition and remodeling contractors, driveway pavers, and persons who install fences, siding, insulation, windows, masonry and underground fuel storage tanks — must be registered with the DCP.

“Registration actually provides valuable protection for homeowners,” Commissioner Rodriguez said. “Our agency administers the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund that provides victimized consumers with up to $15,000 restitution per contract, but only if they used a registered contractor. Because registration is quick and easy, there’s no reason for a contractor to avoid the law, and no reason for a homeowner to work with someone that’s not registered.”

Mr Rodriguez offered these additional tips for selecting and working with a home improvement contractor:

éNever agree to unsolicited, on-the-spot offers. This is the time of year when many unregistered and unscrupulous contractors will show up at your door, offering to give you a low price for a driveway because they have “leftover materials” from another job, or offering you a low-price chimney cleaning that quickly turns into hundreds of dollars of repairs. While you may need a new driveway or windows, that’s not the way to get the jobs done. Chances are you’ll lose your money and be left with an unfinished job.

éGet at least three bids and make sure they all include the same details, such as quality of materials, size of the project, and time frames.

éConfirm the contractor’s registration before agreeing to any work and certainly before making any payments. Just call DCP at 860-713-6110, or visit its website at www.ct.gov.

éCheck references — really check them. Not just those from former customers, but also your local building official, and anyone else who is knowledgeable.

éBy law, all home improvement contracts must be in writing, must contain all details of the job and bear the contractor’s registration numbers. In addition, the contract must give you three days to cancel. Never allow the contractor to persuade you into forfeiting this right.

éBe sure the contract includes a payment schedule that roughly parallels the progress of the work, perhaps breaking the bill in quarters. Don’t pay a lot of money up front and never pay cash.

éCheck with your local building official to be sure the contractor has taken out all necessary permits.

éOn plumbing and electrical work, make sure persons hired to do the job holds the appropriate licence.