Home Improvement Alert

HOME IMPROVEMENT ALERT!!!

Is Your Bathroom or Kitchen Ready for Remodeling? Are You Having Some Electrical Work Done? Need A New Roof? Want A Swimming Pool Installed? Has Your Driveway Seen Better Days? Thinking About New Landscaping? Consumer Affairs is ready to help you.

Before you start any job, use the available services of Suffolk County to assist you and, remember, USE ONLY LICENSED CONTRACTORS FOR ALL ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT WORK. The following is a short checklist of tips for your use:

Plan the work that you want done

Ask your friends about contractors they might have used for similar jobs

Get estimates from at least three contractors

Call the Office of Consumer Affairs ( (631) 853-4600) to check on licenses

Sign a contract that includes:
Contractor's business name, personal name, address and telephone number

Contractor's Consumer Affairs license number

All terms and conditions for the job, including the payment schedule

Description of all work to be performed

Where applicable, brand names and model numbers

All costs for labor, parts, materials

Approximate start and completion dates

Any agreed upon contingencies that would affect start/completion date

A notice that you have the right to cancel the contract until midnight of the third business day after the contract was signed

Finally, monitor the work being done. Stay in contact with the contractor. If problems arise and you cannot get satisfaction from the contractor, contact the Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs (853-4600) or your town's local licensing board as soon as possible. You can also e-mail the Office of Consumer Affairs at: consumer.affairs@co.suffolk.ny.us 

Towns That Have Local Licensing Offices in Addition to County Licensing: