Residents Reminded to Verify Licenses Before Starting Home Improvement Projects
L-R-Deputy County Executive Richard Wishnie, Consumer Affairs Commission Jim Maisano, Director of Veteran Services Joshua Gaccione and County Executive Ken Jenkins
With spring beginning, many Westchester County homeowners are gearing up for home renovation projects — from landscaping and painting to major construction work. As residents plan their upgrades, the Westchester County Consumer Protection Department is reminding the public to protect themselves by hiring only licensed contractors.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Operating without a home improvement license is a violation of law in Westchester County, so if you’re hiring a contractor to do home improvement work, ask the contractor to show you a license from our Consumer Protection Department.”
Consumer Protection Director Jim Maisano said: “Contractors must follow all requirements set forth on Article XVI in County Law – ‘Licensing of Persons Engaged in Home Improvement Business.’ There are almost 9,000 licensed contractors in Westchester to pick from and they all went through a background check, so you have many options and we are here to help you.”
A list of all licensed contractors and the contractors that homeowners should avoid — “Renegade Renovators” — can be found on the Westchester County Consumer Protection Department webpage.
Consumers should know that the Department is vigilant in following up on formal complaints against contractors and will take action against contractors who operate without a license or violate the terms of their contracts. Complaints can be filed online on the Department’s webpage.
Tips for Hiring Home Improvement Contractors:
- Licensed home improvement contractors must display a green sticker on the rear bumper of their vehicles, which indicates the expiration date of their license.
- For any hired work, there must be a written contract between the parties. All work to be performed must be spelled out, including the estimated start and completion dates and the total price, including the costs of labor and materials and any schedule of payments.
- Verify that contractor is licensed to perform home improvement work prior to giving any form of payment.
- Review the Department’s webpage which offers helpful advice to consumers about hiring a contractor, including a printable pamphlet.
- Get references from friends and review proposals from at least three (3) licensed contractors.
- Be wary of all unsolicited phone calls and door-to-door sales.
Additional information is available at consumer.westchestergov.com, including a sample home improvement contract that fully complies with law, or contact the Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155 or email at ConPro@westchestercountyny.gov for assistance.
