Connecticut home improvement contractors and home builders are required to be registered, not licensed, with the Department of Consumer Protection.
The description of a Home Improvement Contractor registration is:
- An individual and/or business is required to register with the DCP if they are contracting with a consumer to perform work on residential property. Home Improvement is any permanent change to residential property.
The annual fee is $220. View Form Here.
The description of a New Home Construction Contractor (New Home Builder) registration is:
- Any person or business that builds a new home needs a registration, inclusive of speculative housing.
The annual fee is $480 or $720 dependent on whether the applicant has a HIC registration. View Form Here.
These are not licenses yet most contractors will display their registration #s, as they are required to do by the DCP, with the preface LIC. indicating that they are licensed, which is somewhat misleading.
Understand that registration simply means filling out the form and paying the fee indicated to be able to perform business as a contractor. Licensing on the other hand is an involved process that requires a specific amount of formal education, apprenticeship, and skill testing in addition to continuing education for license renewal.
It is interesting to note that the person who cuts your hair has to be licensed, yet the company that builds your house does not.
