Home Improvement Contractor
Are you a home improvement contractor? Make sure you're registered.
If you’re a contractor, partnership, or corporation working on residential properties in Massachusetts, it’s important to know the law. Any business that solicits, bids on, or performs residential contracting work on existing one- to four-unit owner-occupied homes must be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the state.
This registration helps protect homeowners and ensures that contractors meet minimum standards for doing business. Whether you’re replacing a roof, remodeling a kitchen, or building a deck, make sure your HIC registration is up to date before starting any work.
The HIC law was created in 1992 to protect consumers and regulate business practices. It includes:
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A mandatory registration program
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A state-run arbitration program for resolving disputes
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The Guaranty Fund, which may compensate homeowners up to $25,000 for unpaid judgments against registered contractors