Division of Consumer Affairs Investigators Checking for Unregistered Home Improvement Contractors in Storm-Damaged Shore Counties
NEWARK – Division of Consumer Affairs investigators
assigned full-time to Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties since
early January have contacted nearly 630 contractors either working on
storm-damaged homes or seeking business at area home expo/improvement
shows, to ensure they are properly registered with the Division.
Division investigators continue to perform daily patrols of
storm-ravaged areas where home improvement contractors are most in
demand.
The investigators found that 477 of the 628 Home
Improvement Contractors they checked were registered or had applied for
registration. Another 27 contractors had been registered but their
annual registrations were expired and needed to be renewed. The
remaining 124 contractors were found to be unregistered. To advertise
and perform home improvement work legally in New Jersey, contractors
must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Registration
materials are available here.
No fines or monetary penalties were assessed when
the investigators found unregistered contractors working on homes
damaged by Superstorm Sandy over the past two months. Instead,
warnings were issued and unregistered home improvement contractors were
provided information about the state's Home Improvement Contractors'
Registration Act and told what they need to do to comply with the law.
If the Division encounters these contractors again and they are still
not registered, fines and penalties will be issued.
"Those unregistered contractors who do not take the
opportunity we're providing to comply with the law will face criminal
charges and civil penalties," Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said.
"We recognize how important contractors are to the rebuilding process,
but they must comply with the law and treat our residents with
fairness and honesty in all aspects of their work."
"The 3 Rs – recover, rebuild, restore – will be
words heard throughout New Jersey this year, as we continue to undo the
devastation wrought by Superstorm Sandy. I want to stress another R –
registration – for roofers, masons, window installers or any other type
of home improvement contractor," said Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director
of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. "Consumers need to verify
that the contractor is registered before hiring anyone and before
paying any money."
Complaints against Home Improvement Contractors
were the second largest category of consumer complaints filed with the
Division last year. A total of 1,528 complaints were received and even
more are anticipated in 2013 because of the widespread rebuilding and
repair needed following Superstorm Sandy.
State law requires registered HICs to display their
registration number on commercial vehicles, in ads, on their websites
and on consumer contracts. In order to become registered, a home
improvement contractor must provide proof of at least $500,000 in
liability insurance and disclose the physical location of the business,
among other requirements.
HICs also are required to provide consumers with
written contracts for work in excess of $500. The contract should
include detailed information, such as start and completion dates, all
work to be performed and the specific products to be used. It is
customary not to pay for the entire home improvement project in
advance. The general rule of thumb is to pay no more than one-third
beforehand, one-third halfway through, and one-third upon completion.
Consumers can access the Division's online database at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/LVinfo.htm to check whether an HIC is registered. Apple device users may check the database via an app that is free for download at New Jersey Professional License Lookup App
. Consumers also can call the Division toll-free at 800-242-5846 and
ask whether the contractor is duly registered and if other consumers
have filed complaints against the contractor.
NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK (NCPW)
is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take
full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed
decisions. NCPW 2013 runs from March 3 through 9 and additional
information is available at www.NCPW.gov.
IMPORTANT TIP:
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a
business, or suspect any other form of marketplace abuse, can file a
complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting
its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on Facebook, and check our online calendar of upcoming Consumer Outreach events.
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