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Hiring a unlicensed contractor can be costly.,as pictured on the right. Every year thousands of property owners lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed and uncertified contractors. Protect yourself and your property by avoiding unlicensed contractors. and scams. Unlicensed individuals cannot pull permits and usually carry no insurance. If the work is not done according to code or workmanship standards, there is no recourse against a unlicensed contractor,

A handyman (jack of all trades) is not a licensed contractor and cannot obtain permits.

Q. What is the difference between a HIC and a CSL Contractor?

A CSL is required for any work that involves a building’s structural elements and the holder had to have passed an examination which demonstrates knowledge of the building code. A holder of an HIC registration is not required to pass an examination. The holder is registered with the state and must pay a fee which is deposited in to the Guaranty Fund at the Office of Consumer Affairs. These serve as protections for consumers in the event of a dispute between a homeowner and an HIC

My contractor told me I need to obtain the permits for my construction. May I obtain the relevant permits from my local building department, or is the contractor required to do that?

While you may certainly obtain your own permits, be aware that if you do, you will fall into a homeowner exemption that will disqualify you from being eligible to receive recourse through M.G.L c. 142A, the HIC Law, or the statutorily authorized Guaranty Fund, should a problem arise. It is the responsibility of the registered HIC to obtain all permits necessary for work covered by the Home Improvement Contractor Registration Law, M.G.L. c. 142A. If the HIC you are contracting with refuses, you may wish to reconsider using that contractor’s service