As the snow melts and the weather warms, you start to see what needs fixing, what might have been damaged in heavy wind or rain, what needs painting, and what might need replacement in your home.

If construction, repairs, electrical work, or plumbing are beyond the ability of the handy person in your household, you may be looking for a reliable skilled contractor. Sometimes, that person has done work for your family or your neighbors and comes highly recommended. 

Sometimes, you find contractors in the Yellow Pages, on the many online resources like Angie’s List, or a neighborhood chat board, or you see a homemade sign or a business card advertising their services in a public place like the laundromat or the market.

The best reference comes from someone you know that is happy with the work a contractor has performed.

No matter where you find them, the Department of Consumer Protection suggests that you take your time, do some research, and make sure the contractor you hire is properly registered to work in Connecticut.

Under the law, a home improvement contractor is anyone who performs improvements on a residential property when the job exceeds $200 and when the cash price of all work performed in one year is more than $1,000. All contractors must be registered with the Department of Consumer Protection and adhere to certain requirements that protect consumers.

If you don’t use a registered home improvement contractor, you won’t be able to access the department’s Home Improvement Guaranty Fund (more information below).

Following these simple dos and don’ts assure that both you and your contractor are protected.

1- DO confirm that your contractor is registered with DCP – they will have a wallet card with their registration number and expiration date. Most also have the number on the truck they use for business.

2- DO get more than one bid and make sure all bids contain the same quality of materials and time frames. The lowest bid is not always the best. 

3- DO ask for references and get more than one.

4- DO ask your local building official about permits. (Even if you or your handy cousin is doing the work!!) It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate building permit.

5- DO assure that if the work is being done by skilled tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, or those working with heating, they hold the appropriate Connecticut occupational licenses. If something goes wrong, you have no recourse if the work was not done by a properly licensed tradesperson. 

6- DO sign a contract that is clear about responsibility and payment. It is not unusual to pay 1/3 down, 1/3 mid-job, and 1/3 upon completion. You have the right to change your mind up to 3 days after signing. 

7- DON’T forget to ask for proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation.  

8- DON’T pay cash in advance, and it is perfectly fine to negotiate paying the final amount in 3 or 4 payments that reflect the progress of the work.

Usually, the work is done correctly, and you look forward to recommending the contractor to your friends and neighbors, but sometimes things go wrong, and you cannot come to an agreement with the contractor.

The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund is available through the Department of Consumer Protection if you suffer damages, and your registered home improvement contractor is unable to make it right. After obtaining a court judgment, you may qualify for restitution up to $15,000 per contract. Go to https://www.cga.ct.gov/2020/rpt/pdf/2020-R-0324.pdf for more information about the Guaranty Fund.

For more information about consumer issues, visit www.smartconsumer.ct.gov .

For information on home improvement contractors, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Trade-Practices-Division/What-to-Look-For-in-a-Home-Improvement-Contractor.

And for our brochure on Home Improvement Contractors, visit https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DCP/Investigations-Division/documents/FinalHomeImprovementGuidepdf.pdf.

Home improvement is often a costly and time-consuming process. Make sure you are spending your money in a smart way and that your contractors are following the law. 

And as always, Pass it On to family and friends!

This article was written by Catherine Blinder, chief education, and outreach officer of the Department of Consumer Protection of the State of Connecticut. To learn more about how the Department of Consumer Protection can help, visit us online at www.ct.gov/dcp.