Home Repairs & the Law - License Requirement in New York City

All home improvement contractors in New York City need to be licensed to perform the following services, among others:

construction, repair, remodeling, or addition to any land or building used as a residence. This includes, but is not limited to, the construction, replacement, or improvement of basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, and other improvements to structures or upon land that is next to a home or apartment building. 

In New York City, there is also a license requirement called a Home Improvement Salesperson License for those who "solicit, negotiate, or offer to negotiate a home improvement contract with a property owner".

Click here to verify licensing in New York City.

Remember, if your contractor is unlicensed, they cannot enforce your home improvement contract against you & they are subject to arrest & prosecution. 

Home Repairs & the Law - License Requirement in Nassau County

All home improvement contractors in Nassau County need to be licensed to perform the following services, among others:

• air conditioning & heating systems
• carpentry work
• ceramic tile & marble installers
• cesspool builders & cleaners
• chimney/fireplace builders, repairs, cleaners
• doors, windows, awnings
• dry wall contractors
• fences and railings
• fire escape stairs & ladders
• floor installation & refinishing (including sub-floors)
• garage builders
• general contractors
• insulation contractors
• lawn irrigation contractors
• masonry work
• painting contractors
• paving and driveway seal coating
• power washers & sandblasters
• reglazing/porcelain refinishing
• retaining wall contractors
• roofing contractors
• sewer cleaners
• siding installation
• swimming pool (building, installing and maintenance)
• tree surgery
• vacuum cleaner central systems
• waterproofing
• well drilling

Check your contractor's licensing & open complaints by contacting Office of Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-3871.  To view the Nassau County Local Law, click here. Remember  if your contractor is unlicensed, they cannot enforce your home improvement contract against you & they are subject to arrest & prosecution. 

Home Repairs & the Law - License Requirement in Suffolk County

All home improvement contractors in Suffolk County need to be licensed to perform the following services, among others:

Arborists	Awnings
Basements	Cabinet Makers
Carpentry	Driveways
Dormers	Extensions
Excavating	Flag Poles
Exterminating	Fumigation
Flooring	Insulation
Garages	Landscapers
Kitchens	Painting
Masonry	Roofing
Railings	Siding
Storms & Screens	Tree services
Swimming Pools	Tennis Courts
Termite Control	Tile Installers
Weatherproofing	Waterproofing

Check your contractor's licensing & open complaints by contacting Office of Consumer Affairs at (631) 853-4600. There are more than 12,000 licensed vendors, so you can certainly find one for your job. Remember, if your contractor is unlicensed, they cannot enforce your home improvement contract against you & they are subject to arrest & prosecution.