Consumers often encounter problems with contractors hired to perform improvements on their homes.State and federal laws, such as the Home Improvement Act, provide protections to those who hire contractors to perform repair or remodeling work, including improvements such as landscaping or the construction of driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages and the like. Whenever contracting for home improvements, be sure that you are dealing with a contractor who is registered with the Department of Consumer Protection.You can verify this by calling the Department at (860) 713-6000, or visit their website at http://www.state.ct.us/dcp/.If a registered contractor violates any provision of the Home Improvement Act or fails to properly perform the work under the contract, a wronged consumer may be entitled to collect damages from the Guaranty Fund created under the Act.
If any of the following apply, you may be entitled to recover actual damages and possibly punitive damages and attorney’s fees.You may also have a defense to any collection action brought by the contractor:
A contractor has failed to provide you with a copy of a written contract to perform work on your home.
The contract does not state the date that the work will begin and the date by which it will be completed.
You or the contractor did not sign the written contract.
The contract fails to include the entire agreement between you and the contractor.
The contract does not state the date upon which it was signed.
The contract does not provide the name and address of the contractor.
The contract does not provide an explanation of certain rights to cancel the contract, including the right to cancel within three business days a contract that was entered into at a location other than the contractor’s usual place of business (e.g., The Home Show or the consumer’s home).
Consumer Law Group, LLC 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 512 Rocky Hill, CT 06067 860 571-0408 fax: 860 571-7457 Contact Us
Attorney Daniel S. Blinn is responsible for the contents of this website.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship
