CT Home Improvement blog » contractors

Interesting Article

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:53:47 +0000

We read a very interesting article on www.TheRidgefieldPress.com the other day about the alarming number of homeowners facing fraud by so-called contractors. I am proud to say that we stand behind and actually enforce many of the CT DCP rules and laws are for home improvement. We strive to give contractors a good name.

Check it out for yourself: http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24016:no-april-1-joke-scammers-are-out-to-fool-you-says-state-commissioner&catid=46:rfd-local&Itemid=778

Get it in writing!

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:49:54 +0000

Written Contract Essentials for Connecticut Home Improvement Contractors and Service Professionals.

All contract needs to fully define all aspects of what homeowner and contractor have agreed to. The level of detail that should be included in a contract will vary with the size and complexity of the project. For a new home building or renovation project, the contract should include details of the design, material and product specifications, the project schedule, costs, and payment arrangements. For more simple home repair jobs, less detail may be needed, but it should still provide a clear warranty on the work – specifically what is covered and for how long. Here are some simple things all contracts should include:

-Name of contractor, business address, phone number and license number

-A clear description of work the contractor is responsible for doing

-If any work the homeowner or other contractor is responsible for doing

-Who is responsible for obtaining necessary building permits and inspections

-Start and completion dates

-Who will be supplying materials

-A clear payment schedule

-Signatures

A detailed written contract between homeowner and contractor is essential, whether you are doing a simple home repair or major renovation. If you get involved in a handshake “cash deal without a written contract, problems caused by mis-communication are more likely to occur making issues much harder to resolve.

To see what the Connecticut Department of consumer protection has to say about contracts, click here

You need a license for that?

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:31:49 +0000

At Refer Me, we talk with a lot of homeowners and various types of contractors across the state. In some instances, have discovered that there is some confusion about who is required to carry a Connecticut trade license. Part of the Refer Me vetting process for network contractors is verification of proper licensing pertaining to their services and trade. Most homeowners know that specialty trades such as plumbing, electrical, or new home construction require a dedicated license. For instance, plumbing contractors are required to carry a P1 license in order to perform work and pull permits. But what about when it comes to tile setters, painters, masons or garage door installers? The answer is that all of these types of trades fall under the Connecticut “Home Improvement” license. An HI, or Home Improvement license is required if the contractor is paid more than $200 for a job and has made a permanent change to the residential property. Here is a full list, set forth by the state of Connecticut of trades bound to this license: “including but not limited to driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, solar energy systems, flooring, patios, landscaping, painting, radon mitigation, residential underground oil tank removals, fences, doors, windows and waterproofing”.

For more information on licensing, please visit the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Awareness is everything.