CT Consumers Urged To Research Contractors Before Starting Home Projects

Planning a spring home improvement project?

The state Department of Consumer Protection is cautioning residents to research project requirements and contractors before starting any work.

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Last year alone, the department's Investigations Division received 1,266 complaints related to home improvement.

In one case, a consumer paid a contractor nearly $9,300 to build a retaining wall. The contractor performed minimal work, left the property in an unsafe condition, and refused to respond to requests for a refund, according to the department.

To help avoid problems, the department recommends you:

• Hire local: Ask friends, family, and community members for a reliable home improvement contractor in the area.
• Verify registration: Once you have a contractor in mind, verify their name or business on eLicense, a public search tool that informs consumers if credentials are active.
• Determine who obtains building permit: Both parties must agree on who is pulling the building permit. If the contractor is responsible, the consumer should call the local building official to verify the accurate permit was pulled.
• Ask for proof of insurance: Homeowners should ask the contractor for proof of general liability insurance coverage of at least $20,000.
• Both parties must sign contract: Home improvement projects are required by law to have a written contract before the project starts. The contract must include the contractor’s registration number, the project summary, timeline, cost, and your three-day right to cancel.

For more information visit DCP’s website. To file a complaint regarding home improvement, email dcp.complaints@ct.gov or visit https://ct.gov/dcp/complaint.