During the three-month operation, Department Trade Practices investigators, working with the Plainville Police Department, used an empty house at 35 Wilson Street in Plainville that had been provided for this purpose by the State Department of Transportation. Posing as homeowners, the undercover investigators contacted area contractors suspected of working without registrations, and invited them to bid on various projects.

The 134 contractors and salespersons came from Berlin, Bloomfield, Branford, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, Cheshire, Cromwell, East Harford, East Haven, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hartford, Kensington, Madison, Manchester, Middletown, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, New Milford, Newington, North Branford, North Haven, Plainville, Plantsville, Pleasant Valley, Rocky Hill, Shelton, Simsbury, Southington, Stafford Springs, Terryville, Wallingford, Waterbury, Watertown, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Winsted, Wolcott, and Billings, N.Y., visited the house and submitted bids and contracts for various projects.

They offered painting, chimney work, roofing, hardwood floor installation, remodeling, and other home improvement services. Ninety individuals were found to be unregistered, and another 44 were deemed noncompliant with other aspects of the home improvement law.

“The law requires that home improvement contractors provide consumers with a clearly worded written contract that includes a three-day notice of cancellation, and that they include their home improvement registration numbers in their contracts and in all their advertising. Many contractors fail to do this consistently,” Mr Farrell said. “We want contractors to comply fully with all provisions of the Home Improvement Act, since the law is designed to protect consumers and ensure a fair marketplace.”

“The department’s ongoing efforts to enforce the state’s contractor registration law are important in educating both consumers and contractors,” Bill Ethier, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Connecticut, said. “Consumers deserve the benefits that the law provides, and contractors who abide by the law deserve the level playing field that strong enforcement fosters.” The association represents home builders and home improvement contractors in Connecticut.

The unregistered contractors face criminal charges of up to one year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. Registered contractors who were identified as being noncompliant with other parts of the Home Improvement Law face agency administrative review and possible sanctions.

“In Connecticut, failure to register as a home improvement contractor or salesperson is a criminal offense, and we’re not shy about fully enforcing the law,” Mr Farrell said.

This is the department’s eighth sting house operation. Last year’s effort in Ridgefield identified 150 unregistered contractors. Previous operations were conducted in Wilton, West Haven, Bristol, Montville, Enfield, and Waterbury.

The Department of Consumer Protection administers a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund for consumers who suffer construction damage or problems as a result of work done by a registered home improvement contractor. Persons whose situations qualify may receive restitution from the fund up to $15,000 per contract.

Consumers who have questions or concerns about their home improvement contractor or project, or who seek information about the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund may call the Department at 860-713-6110, toll-free at 800-842-2649, or visit the agency website at www.ct.gov/dcp.