Introducing the MA Contractor Hub!
The MA Contractor Hub is a one-stop platform for consumers and contractors. This new and improved service hub is mobile-friendly and easy to use.
Contractors, in the Hub you are able to:
- Apply for, renew, and update your Home Improvement Contractor registration
- Generate supplemental registration cards
- Pay your balance
- And more!
Video: Home Improvement Contractors: How to Use the MA Contractor Hub
Skip this video Home Improvement Contractors: How to Use the MA Contractor Hub.Homeowners, in the Hub you are able to:
- Look up contractor registrations and history
- Apply for arbitration and the Guaranty Fund
- File complaints
- Check your submissions
- And more!
Contractor resources
In-person service for contractors is now available Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at One Federal Street, Boston (except on holidays).
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).
Registration and Renewal:
- Contractor Guide for the MA Contractor Hub
- Do I need a Construction Supervisor's License (CSL) in addition to an HIC registration?
- What work requires an HIC Registration, CSL License, or building permit?
- Contractors: HIC Guide for Registration, Renewal, and Making Changes to your Registration
- Contractors: Registration and Renewal
- Renew before the expiration date to save money and time. Per updated legal guidance and consistent with HIC statutes, regulations, and renewal notices, HIC registrations expire on the date of expiration. Failure to renew by the date of expiration will lead to extra cost and delays. Your ability to pull necessary municipal permits may also be impacted.
- Construction Supervisor Licensing Guide
- Change your registered home improvement contractor address on contractorhub.mass.gov
Working With Homeowners:
- Home Improvement Contract Requirements, Details, and Sample Language
- Deleading and Lead Safety
- 201 CMR 18: Registration and enforcement of home improvement contractor program (effective June 6, 2025)
- 201 CMR 14: Home improvement contractor arbitration and guaranty fund (effective June 6, 2025)
Old regulations:
- 201 CMR 18: Registration and Enforcement of Home Improvement Contractor Program (effective prior to June 6, 2025)
- 201 CMR 14: Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund (effective prior to June 6, 2025)
Additional Resources
Homeowner resources
Understanding the HIC Program:
- Homeowner Guide to the MA Contractor Hub
- Homeowners: Guide to Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor
- What work requires an HIC Registration, CSL License, or building permit?
Before Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor:
- Homeowners: Check a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration Status
- Home Improvement Contract Requirements, Details, and Sample Language
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:
Did you hire Newpro? Need help?
Newpro closed its business operations on October 28, 2025, and has filed for bankruptcy. The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), through its Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Program, may be able to assist you, if you hired Newpro and have suffered actual loss due to their closure.
The HIC Program includes arbitration for resolving disputes with contractors and a Guaranty Fund to compensate eligible consumers up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments against contractors. The Guaranty Fund is a fund of last resort for homeowners who are unable to pursue any other remedy to collect money owed to them as a result of a court order or arbitration award.
Homeowners may also file a complaint against a contractor that may result in disciplinary action being taken against the contractor after an enforcement hearing.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about these HIC consumer protection programs.
Q: How might the HIC program help me if I hired Newpro?
A: You may be eligible for assistance through the arbitration and Guaranty Fund programs, which are meant to assist homeowners who have suffered actual loss (such as costs to repair, replace, or complete the work outlined in your contract) and are unable to recoup those losses from a registered contractor.
Q: Do I qualify for arbitration?
A: Before requesting arbitration, you must meet eligibility requirements. To qualify, you must show:
- There was a written and signed contract for the job;
- The contractor was registered with the HIC program at the time of the contract;
- Filing deadline is within 5 years from the date of the contract;
- The work was done on a pre-existing, 1-4 family, owner-occupied, primary residence in Massachusetts; and
- You incurred costs to repair, replace, or complete the work outlined in your contract.
If you qualify, you will be responsible for paying an arbitration fee.
Q: Why should I choose arbitration?
A: If you are seeking a monetary claim against a registered contractor, then you should file an arbitration claim.
If your claim meets eligibility requirements, an impartial arbitrator will be appointed by OCABR to resolve the dispute by issuing a legally binding decision that may award you monetary damages. This step is necessary to eventually apply to the Guaranty Fund.
Q: How much will I have to pay for arbitration?
A: The fee depends on the amount of damages sought:
- $500 for claims up to $9,999
- $750 for claims between $10,000 and $24,999
- $1,000 for claims between $25,000 and $49,999
- $1,250 for claims greater than $50,000.
If the arbitrator awards you monetary damages, the fee is included in the award amount.
Q: Do I need an attorney?
A: You are not required to retain an attorney for HIC arbitration. The process is less formal than a court proceeding and many participants appear without a lawyer.
Q: What award amount can I expect from arbitration?
A: Each award depends on the case details and actual loss determined by the arbitrator during the arbitration process (such as costs to repair, replace, or complete the work outlined in your contract). An award from an arbitrator (or court judgement) is one requirement to apply for the Guaranty Fund where eligible claimants may receive up to $25,000.
Q: How can I request arbitration?
A: You can request arbitration at the MA Contractor Hub. Please review the eligibility requirements before submitting your request.
Q: How do I apply for the Guaranty Fund?
A: If you received an award for monetary damages and meet eligibility requirements, you can apply for a Guaranty Fund claim at the MA Contractor Hub. Please include your “actual loss” amount in the application, evidence of your arbitration award or court judgement, and explanation for how you tried to collect the amount owed. This claim must be submitted no later than 7 years from the date of contract.
Q: Will filing a complaint help me get my money back?
A: No. Filing a complaint against any contractor will not result in a monetary award for you, but it may result in disciplinary action being taken against the contractor after an enforcement hearing.
Q: How do I submit a complaint?
A: You can review complaint information and submit a complaint against a contractor at the MA Contractor Hub. You may also file a consumer complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Q: How do I use the MA Contractor Hub?
A: Please follow the instructions in our Homeowner Guide to the MA Contractor Hub, our quick how-to reference.
OCABR understands the hardship that situations like this can cause. We are committed to helping you and other homeowners through the HIC Program.
Massachusetts home improvement law
A compilation of laws, regulations, and web sources on home improvement law by the Trial Court Law Libraries: Massachusetts law about home improvement
MA Contractor Hub Accessibility Statement
Overview
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is committed to achieving meaningful accessibility to this online environment for all users, including users with disabilities. This site follows Commonwealth of Massachusetts enterprise standards designed to meet the needs of our citizens with disabilities. Specifically, the site was designed in accordance with the web content accessibility guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and tested by a third party vendor for accessibility.
Questions about accessibility
If the formatting of this site prevents you from accessing the information, please contact us for assistance. In order to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please note the nature of your accessibility concern, the webpage address of the requested material, and the best way to contact you.
Some components of the site cannot be modified by OCABR. Salesforce accessibility restrictions that we have tickets open to rectify include:
- Some input feels do not have proper labels which may confuse screen readers
- Error messages are not differentiated which may confuse screen readers
- Autocomplete may not work with some fields
- Limited color contrast may make some text difficult to read
- Inconsistencies in dialogue boxes may be confusing
We also welcome your questions about this accessibility statement and comments on how to improve the site's accessibility. Please contact us at 617-973-8787 or consumer@mass.gov.
Contact
Phone
Monday and Wednesday 9 AM - 3 PM
Monday and Wednesday 9 AM - 3 PM