State of CT does NOT require Home Improvement Contractors to have knowledge in their trade!

When you are looking to have a home improvement project done in (or around) your home, people advise you to hire a licensed contractor. The assumption is that if the professional is licensed in their trade they must know what they are doing. I am here to tell you - this is NOT the case!! 

The State of Ct does NOT have an educational requirement or competency exam for people looking to obtain a Home Improvement Contractors License. The biggest hurdle to get the license is a $200 fee. AND to make matters worse - the number of contractors covered under the "Home Improvement Contractor" umbrella is huge!  Companies involved in the construction, replacement, installation or improvement of kitchens, bathroom, basements, driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, sunrooms, flooring, patios, landscaping, fences, doors and windows, and waterproofing in connection with your home and/or property all have a Home Improvement Contractor's license.  (NOTE: this does not include electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors).

Now that I have your attention, I want to tell you why it IS important to have licensed contractor in your home.  A portion of the Home Improvement Contractor's license fee goes toward The Home Improvement Guarantee Fund, operated by the Department of Consumer Protection. In essence, if a homeowner is able to get a judgment against a bad contractor - the fund will reimburse the homeowner up to $15,000.

The best way to protect yourself against bad and unscrupulous contractors is to do your homework and find someone that is honest and reliable. There are good contractors out there... just ask your friends, family and co-workers for a recommendation.   Help get the word out... please post this to your Facebook page and tell everybody you know. 

Good luck!
kim  

Kimberly Spanier, Owner
Everything Under the Roof, LLC