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Is Your Home Improvement Contractor Licensed? Find out NOW!

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Whether you want to find out if your home improvement contractor is licensed or have a complaint against a home improvement contractor check out this site or Call 311. It's easy and it's FREE.

Tips

  • Get trustworthy referrences - (also check for complaints in neighboring counties ie. Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester)
  • Cancellation of the agreement- You have the right to cancel the agreement within three (3) days of signing.
  • Get the (DCA) Department of Consumer Affairs Home Improvement Consumer Guide by calling 311 or download it here.
  • Don't pay more than one third upfront to start the job (continue with "progress" payments)
  • Don't take loan advice from your contractor IT'S ILLEGAL!
  • Always use a licensed contractor!!

Please note: the links above are good only for the five boroughs of NYC. Home Improvement Contractors who do work in NYC are required to be licensed by DCA. The work includes, but is not limited to, remodeling or repairs of your home (including on your grounds). It does NOT include NEW constructions, or plumbing and electrical work.

Vincent Martinez Realtor 

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Maxine Phillips
Naples, FL

Vincent:  A good post & a great piece of advice.  You get what you pay for.  Also with regard to loans: home improvement loans are not available if you use an unlicensed contractor.  In Florida if you are caught without a permit (during or any time after), you have to pay the permit fee plus a substantial penalty.  When you sell your home all work done without a permit must be disclosed.  Talk about a red flag to a home inspector!  And a smart buyer will ask to have this permitted prior to closing.

Aug 07, 2008 04:50 PM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes

Maxine- Thank you. Taking mortgage advice from a contractor is kinda like letting your bored brother in law perform open heart surgery on you... its a recipe for disaster!

Aug 08, 2008 11:00 AM