Every year, thousands of New York State residents hire a contractor to repair, improve or remodel their home. Many of these consumers are ultimately satisfied with their contractor's work. However, some consumers complain about poor workmanship, overcharges, missed deadlines or the contractor's failure to complete the job. Others complain that the contractor took their deposit but failed to perform any work at all.
When hiring a home improvement contractor, it's important to be cautious, to know the do's and don'ts, and to be familiar with your rights. This information provided by the New York State Department of State Division of Consumer Protection can help guide you through the process.
- What is Home Improvement?
- The First Steps
- How to Find a Contractor
- Get Written Estimates
- Check References
- Licensing Requirements
- Get Proof of insurance
- What Should I Ask The Contractor?
- Find Out Whether There Have Been Complaints Against the Contractor
- What are the "Red Flags" To Look Out For?
- What a Written Contract Should Include
- What To Do After the Project Has Begun
- What To Do If There's a Problem