County Warns Residents About Spring Contracting Season

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The Westchester County Consumer Protection Department is warning residents in advance of planning and making home renovations.

County residents should be reminded that Westchester laws require that all home improvement contractors are properly licensed to work in Westchester and not on the list of “renegade renovators.”

Some tips for hiring home improvement contractors are:

• 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.
• Review the department’s webpage which offers helpful advice to consumers about hiring a contractor including a printable pamphlet.
• Get references from friends.
• Review proposals from a least three licensed contractors.
• Be wary of all unsolicited phone calls and door-to-door sales.

Additional information is available on the Department of Consumer Protection website.