Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Program

Contractor and Homeowner Resources

All contractors, partnerships, and corporations that solicit, bid on, or perform residential contracting as a contractor or subcontractor on an existing one to four unit owner occupied residential property in Massachusetts must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). Below is a list of resources for both contractors and homeowners.

Registration:

• Determine if you need an HIC Registration, CSL or Both
• Check if your work requires an HIC, CSL, or Both
• Step by Step Guide to Registration and Renewal
• Contractors: HIC Guide for Registration, Renewal, and Making Changes to your Registration
• Contractors: Registration and Renewal
• Contractor Registration, Certification and Training Checklist
• Required contract terms for a home improvement contract
• Construction Supervisor Licensing Guide
• Change your registered home improvement contractor address

Working With Homeowners:

• Contractors: Advertising & Estimating Video
• Understanding a Home Improvement Contract Video
• Contractors: Contract Content & Payment Terms Video
• Sample Home Improvement Contract Document
• Contractors: Performance of the Contract Video
• Deleading and Lead Safety
• 201 CMR 18: Registration and enforcement of home improvement contractor program
• 201 CMR 14: Home improvement contractor arbitration and guaranty fund

Homeowner resources

Understanding the HIC Program:

• Homeowners: Guide to Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor
• Homeowners: Guide to HIC Video

Before Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor:

• Homeowners: Check a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration Status
• Understanding a Home Improvement Contract Video
• Sample Home Improvement Contract Document

If Something Goes wrong with a Contractor:

• Homeowners: File a Complaint Against a Contractor
• Determine if the HIC Arbitration Program is right for you
• Apply for the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund
• HIC Arbitration and Guaranty Fund Resources

Additional Information:

• Homebuyers Resources

Massachusetts law about home improvement

A compilation of laws, regulations, and web sources on home improvement law by the Trial Court Law Libraries: Massachusetts law about home improvement