Westchester Offers Advice On Planning Home Improvement Projects

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Springtime is when many start planning and doing home repairs.

The Westchester County Consumer Protection Department, which pursues violations of county law requiring home improvement contractors to be licensed to work in the county, is reminding consumers and contractors to understand and follow the laws.

County Executive George Latimer said operating without a home improvement license is a violation of county law.

"If you're hiring a contractor to do home improvement work," he said, "be sure to ask to see the contractor's license."

A list of all licensed contractors and a list of "renegade renovators" — contractors that homeowners should avoid — can be found on the department's webpage.

Also, residents should note that licensed home improvement contractors must display a green sticker on the rear bumper of their vehicles, which indicates the expiration date of the license.

Consumer Protection Director Jim Maisano said that consumers need to do their homework before hiring a home improvement contractor.

"The first step is to review the list of licensed contractors which can be found on our webpage," he said. "There are more than 8,000 contractors licensed to do work in Westchester."

Tips for Consumers Seeking Home Improvement Contractors

• Before hiring a contractor, review the department’s webpage which offers helpful advice to consumers about hiring a contractor to do work at your home including a pamphlet in PDF form with everything you need to know.
• Get written estimates and references from at least three contractors.
• Be sure that all work to be done is spelled out in a detailed, written contract including the estimated start and completion dates and the total price, including the costs of labor and materials and any schedule of payments.
• Be wary of unsolicited phone calls and door-to-door sales. Often these are initiated by contractors who are unlicensed and without established business locations. Plus, be wary of any “special prices” that are too good to be true or any contractor who just “happens” to be in your neighborhood.