6. Check licenses. Home improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties.
Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help. To file a consumer complaint about a home improvement contractor working on residential property, use the Home Improvement Contractor Complaint page.
Factors that show you are an independent contractor include working with multiple clients instead of just one, not receiving detailed instructions from hiring firms, paying your own business expenses such as office and equipment expenses, setting your own schedule, marketing your services to the public, having all ...
You can make anonymous tips, by phone, about possible unlicensed home improvement work in the five boroughs. A City representative will ask you several questions to determine whether or not the contractor is licensed. The results of any investigation are confidential. Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.
Evaluating the Severity of Defects Minor imperfections or cosmetic issues may not be sufficient grounds for legal action. However, if the defects significantly impact the functionality, safety, or value of the property, it may be necessary to pursue a lawsuit.
To win your case you will need to show evidence to the judge that supports your claims. Consider including pictures of your house or the work the contractor performed at the hearing. Also, consider including emails, text messages, and other correspondences between you and the contractor.
Thankfully, there are several options available to you for solving disputes against a contractor, some of these include submitting a complaint to the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (also known as the DCWP/DCA), and filing a lawsuit in small claims court.
The law in the State of New York is that you cannot enforce your contract against the owner, nor seek the reasonable value of the services rendered, if you are not licensed. You must have the license when you perform your work and when you commence a lawsuit to recover monies due for your work.
Acceptance of an offer: After one party makes an offer, it's up to the other party to accept it. If someone offers you $600 to walk their dogs, for example, you enter into a contractual agreement the moment you accept their offer in exchange for your services.
Specify governing law. Identify the working relationship. Clearly define the scope of work. Specify what benefits, if any, the contractor will receive. Assign intellectual property. Include confidentiality clauses. Include a termination clause.