Who Is A Home Improvement ContractorHome improvement contractors are individuals and companies that are involved in repairing, renovating, modernizing, painting, installing, replacing, improving, constructing, restoring, remodeling, moving, or demolishing residential or non-commercial properties.
Home improvement contractors include those who work on residential driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, patios, additions, landscaping, fences, porches, windows, doors, cabinets, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, finished basements, basement waterproofing, fire protection devices, security protection devices, central heating and air conditioning equipment, water softeners, heaters, and purifiers, solar heating or water systems, insulation installation, roofing and siding, wall-to-wall carpeting or attached or inlaid floor coverings, and more.HOMEOWNER PROTECTIONSEach year, the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs receives hundreds receives thousands of complaints from consumers who hire contractors to do costly repair projects and who are less than satisfied with the results. Consumers complain about shoddy workmanship, missed deadlines and also about the contractor’s failure to complete the work or to start the project at all after taking a deposit.
The New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act is designed to protect you from misrepresentation, fraud and deception in consumer transactions, including contracts for home improvement work. In addition, the Contractors’ Registration Act requires home improvement contractors to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Home improvement contractors had to initially register with the Division of Consumer Affairs by December 31, 2005, and must register annually thereafter, unless specifically exempted.
Home improvement contractors who are not registered with Consumer Affairs will not be issued municipal construction permits and will not be permitted to perform home improvement work in New Jersey. More information about the new law may be found on the Division’s website at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov.
Note: Registration with the State does not constitute an endorsement of or approval for the home improvement contractor.Know The LawObtain a written contract. Contracts for home improvement projects costing $500 or more must be written and must include the legal name and business address of the contractor as well as a start date, a completion date, a description of the work to be done, and the total price. The contract must also include the contractor’s registration number. The contractor must also provide you with a copy of his commercial general liability insurance policy and the telephone number of the insurance company.
Make sure all warranties and guarantees are in writing, and that the contract states name brands or quality/grades of materials to be used.
Signed contracts may be canceled by a consumer for any reason before midnight of the third business day after you receive a copy of the contract. Put the cancellation in writing and either personally deliver it to the contractor or send it registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. A photocopy of your cancellation should also be sent via regular first-class mail.
Ensure that all applicable construction permits are obtained from the local municipality. Either the owner or a contractor acting as the owner’s agent may obtain a building permit.
If you are applying for the permit yourself, provide the contractor's name and license number on the permit application. Do not say that you are performin the work yourself if ou are in fact using a contractor as you may be forfeiting the protections afforded by law.
If an electrician or plumber is doing the work, the municipal permit must be signed and sealed by the New Jersey licensed electrical contractor or licensed master plumber.
If the homeowner has hired an architect to draw up the plans, the licensed architect must sign off on them. Determine from the municipality what inspections are needed and when they must be performed.
Final inspections must be completed BEFORE final payment is made to the contractor. For information on inspections, see the notice printed in large type on the back of the construction permit.Hiring Other Licensed ProfessionalsPersons or companies licensed by the State, such as plumbers, electrical contractors, and architects, are not required to register as home improvement contractors if they are acting within the scope of their profession. Before hiring any of the professionals listed below, check the Licensee Search link on the Division’s website or call the appropriate licensing board to determine the person doing the work is licensed to do so and that their license is active and in good standing.
Licensing Boards
Architects 973-504-6385
Burglar Alarm Installers 973-504-6245
Electrical Contractors 973-504-6410
Engineers 973-504-6460
Fire Alarm Installers 973-504-6245
HVACR (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) 973-504-6250
Land Surveyors 973-504-6460
Landscape Architects 973-504-6385
Locksmiths 973-504-6245
Plumbers 973-504-6420Home Repair ComplaintsIf you have a problem with your home improvement project, first give the contractor an opportunity to resolve the matter directly. If you are not satisfied with the results, you may:
Call the Ocean County Consumer Affairs office at 732-929-2105 for a com laint form or file a complaint on this website.
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