Keeping up the pressure on unlicensed contractors, the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection has wrapped up its third enforcement sweep of the year - netting 36 more violators doing work in the county without a license. The results bring the year’s final tally of home contracting scofflaws to 121.

For the past two weeks, two teams of field inspectors have again been out in force – driving the streets and stopping to check the license of every home improvement contractor they see at work. Of 380 contractors inspected since Sept. 28, 36 were found to not have a license. Four of those were found to be working after their licenses had previously been denied or revoked and therefore had their vehicles and tools seized.
 
Inspectors also made sure that the contractors were in compliance with a county law requiring landscapers to use low emission leaf -blowers. Four of the 39 leaf-blowers inspected didn’t meet those requirements.

“We are not backing down when it comes to enforcing the law,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “The message is clear: if you do home improvement jobs in Westchester, you need to have a license or there will be consequences – very expensive consequences.”

The maximum fine is up to $1,000 for first offenders. A second violation could result in a $5,000 fine and a third or subsequent offense could mean a $10,000 fine.

A similar sweep in May resulted in citations against 20 unlicensed businesses and two seizures. In July, as part of a multi-county enforcement sweep with regional consumer affairs departments and law enforcement agencies, Westchester County cited another 65 for not being licensed and seized equipment from six.

A county law that took effect last year authorizes police to impound any vehicle or seize any equipment being used by a contractor found to be operating without a license.  The equipment is held until the unlicensed contractor applies for a license and pays all outstanding fines.

The contractors whose vehicles and tools were seized over the past two weeks were David Deneen of David M. Deneen Tree Service in Port Chester; Antonio Valencia Jr. of New Rochelle; Segundo Tenecota of Segundo’s Landscaping in Ossining; and Armando Hernandez of Armando Landscaping, Mount Vernon.

While the percentage of unlicensed contractors continues a downward trend - dropping from 17 percent in early 2008 to the most recent 9.5 percent – home improvement complaints still rank as the county’s top consumer complaint. While hiring a licensed contractor is no guarantee of satisfaction, many of the most serious complaints - involving shoddy work or failure to perform any work at all - involve unlicensed contractors.

Gary Brown, director of Consumer Protection, noted that homeowners need to protect themselves by doing their due diligence and making sure any contractor they hire is licensed. He noted that all home improvement contractors - including roofers, driveway pavers, landscapers, tile setters, chimney sweeps, fence installers, exterior painters, masons and persons who install or repair exterior siding, decks, windows, doors and swimming pools - must be licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection.

Check online whether a contractor is licensed or call (914) 995-2155. You can also check to see whether there have been complaints against the contractor.
 
To qualify for a license, contractors must pass a background check, have adequate insurance and supply proof of financial responsibility. Any history of unresolved complaints is also considered. In addition, first-time applicants for a home improvement license must take and pass a written exam covering basic laws and rules that apply to home improvement contractors. There are currently over 7,600 licensed contractors in Westchester.
 
The county offered these tips for hiring a home improvement contractor:

• Avoid unlicensed contractors. To find out if a contractor is licensed you can check online.
• Avoid contractors who show up at your doorstep unannounced or contact you through telemarketing.  
• Avoid transient contractors who only have a post office box address or a cell phone number.
• Avoid contractors who demand payment in cash or want more than one-third of the total payment before
  work has begun.
• Get at least three estimates, especially if the job is big. In assessing the estimates, don’t always go with the low bidder. A higher price may be worth it if the contractor is the most experienced, will use better materials, will do a better job, and keep to a timeline.
• Be wary of an extremely low bid. It may be an indication that the contractor is overeager for your business, made a mistake in preparing the bid or is not including all the work quoted by the other bidders.
• Ask each contractor for references, and call the references to see if they were satisfied with the work. Also, see for yourself by visiting the homes where the contractor has done work. 
• Once you’ve decided on a contractor, insist on a written contract that sets forth all important details of the job. Do NOT agree to an oral contract.
• If you have a problem, you don’t have to fight it alone. The Department of Consumer Protection can help. 

Find further information on hiring a contractor, including a brochure and video with useful tips.