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

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

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

Awareness is everything.

Now residents of the State of Connecticut have access to Home Energy Solutions, a program funded through a surcharge on monthly electric bills. The program, run by Connecticut Light & Power Co. and United Illuminating, sends an energy-efficiency contractor to your home to perform an energy assessment, find and professionally seal critical air leaks, replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent lamps, provide water conservation devices and make recommendations. The Home Energy Solutions audit costs $75 ($300 if you heat your house with oil or propane), and just having the visit can save you on your energy bills. If your home has issues that need to be addressed, be sure to check back with Refer Me to find a contractor to help.

Those looking to do a little more in the way of home improvements, can get rebates for installing energy efficient water heaters, furnaces or boilers. There are rebates of $300 available for those who replace their water heater with an energy efficient one attached to a natural gas boiler. You’ll be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 if you replace your furnace or boiler with a more energy efficient model. You can contact your utility company or visit http://www.ct.gov/opm/site/default.asp for more information on these programs.

If you don’t feel you need an entire house audit it’s good to keep in mind that it is imperative to have your oil fired heating equipment serviced annually which normally includes an efficiency test, a cleaning, and replacement of general filters and nozzles. While gas boilers, furnaces and water heaters are generally maintenance free, you should definitely have a qualified heating contractor evaluate your unit and components every few years. Keeping up with these tasks ensures a longer life for your equipment and also helps them to run more efficiently. Refer Me can also help you find a contractor to carry out these small maintenance tasks as well.

Whether you decide to take the plunge and do a major upgrade to the energy efficiency of your home or just decide to change some old light bulbs to florescent, it’s good to know even these small changes can make a difference to your bottom line.