- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
May is recognized as National Home Improvement Month. Many homeowners have already started intense spring cleaning or planning home renovations. As you think about repairs to your home, stop and ask yourself, “is my contractor licensed or registered in Massachusetts?
What is Home Improvement?
In 2002, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) created National Home Improvement Month. Almost every day, consumers tackle home projects, recognizing that something needs repair and they work with qualified experts to make improvements.
According to Homes and Rentals, home maintenance includes routine tasks to prevent deterioration and keep a house in good condition. This could look like lawn care, gutter cleaning, resealing windows, or touch up paint jobs. Home improvement projects go an extra step beyond the basics by enhancing a home’s functionality. Common examples include installing a backyard deck, HVAC system, or a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel.
What Home Improvement Work Requires HIC, CSL, or Building Permit?
Before making improvements to your home, you should make sure that you or a contractor you hire has the correct credentials for the project.
Administered by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Program requires contractors to register with the state before they work or bid on properties that are owner-occupied one-to-four-unit dwellings. If you’re working on do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs around your home, you don’t have to register as a contractor for the HIC Program.
Depending on the scope of work, some contractors may have to obtain a construction supervisor license (CSL) through the Division of Occupational Licensure’s (DOL) Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI). In addition, some projects may require a building permit issued by the municipality where the residence is located.
Just in time for summer, you may be eyeing a few of the projects highlighted in the chart below; it’s important to remember that HIC registration, CSL licenses, and building permits are not interchangeable. Depending on the project, contractors may need both an HIC registration and a CSL, along with any required local permits.
The chart below is for general guidance only, whether a CSL or building permit is required depends on project specifics. You should always consult with the appropriate building official.
| Job Type | CSL License Required? | HIC License Required? | Building Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning, central | Yes | No | Yes |
| Decks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stairs, exterior | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swimming Pools, below ground | No | Yes | Yes |
| Swimming Pools, above ground | No | No | Yes |
| Landscaping, routine | No | No | No |
| Patios | No | No | No |
A list of other projects and their work requirements are available on mass.gov/hic under the “Contractor Resources” section.
What do I need to know before hiring a contractor?
Your home is one of your biggest investments, so it’s important to be vigilant and check the licenses and registrations for anyone you plan to hire. Choosing a contractor is the most important part of the home renovation process. Before hiring a contractor, you should:
- Interview at least three contractors
- Check the HIC registration status and any disciplinary history (complaints, fines, etc.) of the contractor or subcontractor by using the MA Contractor Hub search tool.
- Check the status and disciplinary history (complaints, fines, etc.) of a CSL with OPSI.
- Confirm that the contractor will pull the building permit.
- Pulling your own permit will make you ineligible for the Guaranty Fund, a fund of last resort that helps compensate eligible homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments against contractors.
- Be sure there is a written contract detailing the project scope and payment schedule.
Homeowners should review a detailed contract from the contractor, and the final document should be signed by both parties, before any work on their home begins. The contract should outline the breakdown of costs, the project details and timeline, and when payments are due. Written contracts are the best form of protection for a homeowner and contractor and can be extremely important if a dispute comes up in mediation, arbitration, or court. See mass.gov/SampleContract for contract requirements.
Visit OCABR’s HIC Homeowner Resources for more tips and program information.
