Massachusetts law about home improvement

Best bets

For Contractors: Home Improvement Contractor Registration and Renewal, Office of Consumer Affairs. 
Information and resources on registering as a home improvement contractor. Includes forms, guidelines and a lot of information.

For Homeowners: Check if your contractor is a registered Home Improvement Contractor, Office of Consumer Affairs. 
Despite the title, this area includes information on hiring a contractor, required terms in a contract, and more. For any questions about the HIC programs, contact the Consumer Hotline at [phone].

Massachusetts laws

MGL c.142A  Regulation of Home Improvement Contractors

Massachusetts regulations

201 CMR 14  Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration and Guaranty Fund
201 CMR 18  Home Improvement Contractor Registration

Forms

Home Improvement Contractor Program Applications and Forms, Office of Consumer Affairs.

Massachusetts Home Improvement Sample Contract, Office of Consumer Affairs.

Web sources

Required contract terms in a home improvement contract, Office of Consumer Affairs.
Hiring a contractor for a home improvement job? It must contain certain items.

Suing Home Contractor for Construction Defects in Small Claims Court in Massachusetts, Nolo.com
Explains the process of bringing a contractor to small claims court, as well as other options to consider.

Check if your work requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) or a Construction Supervisor Licence (CSL), Office of Consumer Affairs.
Table listing types of work and licenses required.

Print sources

Home Improvement Contractor Act, MCLE, 2010.

Home Improvement Contractor Claims: Building Your Case, MCLE, 1998

Standard Form Construction Contract Documents, MCLE, 2008

Last updated:	August 6, 2019