General Statutes of Connecticut Chapter 400 — Home Improvement Contractors

Short title: Home Improvement Act

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Home Improvement Act”.

Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Business entity” means an association, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or partnership. (2) “Certificate” means a certificate of registration issued under section 20-422. (3) “Commissioner” means (A) the Commission…

Certificate of registration of contractors and salesperson required. Requirements for contractors performing radon mitigation, removal or replacement of residential underground heating oil tank storage systems and gas hearth product work. Application by retail establishment for certificate of registration as salesperson for its employees. Duty to update application information

(a) No person shall hold such person out to be a contractor or salesperson without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the commissioner as provided in this chapter, except (1) that an individual or partner, or officer or director of a corporation registered as a contractor shall not be required to obtain…

Procedures for registration. Records

(a) No business entity shall perform or offer to perform home improvements in this state unless such business entity has been issued a certificate of registration by the commissioner. No such business entity shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct and acts of its agents, employees or officers by reason of i…

Application for certificate of registration as home improvement contractor or salesman. Fees

(a) Any person seeking a certificate of registration shall apply to the commissioner online, on a form provided by the commissioner. The application shall include (1) the applicant's name, residence address, business address, business telephone number and electronic mail address, (2) a statement by the applicant disclo…

Certificate of registration; when issued; refused; revoked; suspended. Bond requirement

Upon receipt of a completed application and fee, the commissioner shall: (1) Issue and deliver to the applicant a certificate to engage in the business for which the application was made; or (2) refuse to issue the certificate. The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue or renew any certificate issued unde…

Hearing on denial of certificate. Subsequent application

(a) Upon refusal to issue or renew a certificate, the commissioner shall notify the applicant of the denial and of the applicant's right to request a hearing within ten days from the date of receipt of the notice of denial. (b) If the applicant requests a hearing within such ten days, the commissioner shall give notice…

Investigations. Powers of commissioner. Injunctions

(a) The commissioner may conduct investigations and hold hearings on any matter under the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, to testify or to produce any book, rec…

Revocation, suspension or refusal to issue or renew registration; grounds

(a) The commissioner may revoke, suspend or refuse to issue or renew any certificate of registration as a home improvement contractor or salesperson or place a registrant on probation or issue a letter of reprimand (1) for conduct of a character likely to mislead, deceive or defraud the public or the commissioner, (2)…

Posting of bond by contractor

(a) A bond required under section 20-422 shall run to the state of Connecticut for the use of the state and of any persons who may have a cause of action because of the failure of the contractor to comply with the provisions of this chapter and any regulation or order adopted or issued under this chapter and to account…

Holder to exhibit and advertise certificate, when. Exception. Prohibited acts. Penalties. Certificates generally not transferable. Expiration. Renewal. Building permits

(a)(1) Each person engaged in making home improvements shall (A) exhibit such person's certificate of registration upon request by any interested party, and (B) except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (i) state in any advertisement the fact that such person is registered, and (ii) include such person'…

Failure to register. Failure to pay Home Improvement Guaranty Fund fee. Commercial motor vehicle registration nonrenewal. Appeal

If any contractor, as defined in section 20-419, is determined by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to be in violation of the provisions of section 20-420 or 20-432, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in accordance with listings and schedule…

Exemptions

This chapter shall not apply to any of the following persons or organizations: (1) The government of the state, municipalities of the state or any department or agency of the state or such municipalities; (2) the government of the United States or any of its departments or agencies; (3) any school, public or private, o…

Required contract provisions. Negative option provisions prohibited. Contract considered home solicitation sale. Contractor-financed contract. Recovery of payment for work performed

(a)(1)(A) No home improvement contract shall be valid or enforceable against an owner unless it: (i) Is in writing, (ii) is signed by the owner and the contractor, (iii) contains the entire agreement between the owner and the contractor, (iv) contains the date of the transaction, (v) contains the name and address of th…

Certain solicitation practices prohibited

No contractor or salesman shall solicit or otherwise endeavor to procure home improvement work or a home improvement contract from an owner by notifying the owner that a contractor will commence home improvement work unless the owner instructs the contractor not to commence such work by a date determined by the contrac…

Commissioner to adopt regulations

The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(Formerly Sec. 20-425). Appeals

Any person aggrieved by an order or decision of the commissioner under this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.

Home Improvement Guaranty Fund

(a) The commissioner shall establish and maintain the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. (b) Each salesman who receives a certificate pursuant to this chapter shall pay a fee of forty dollars annually. Each contractor (1) who receives a certificate pursuant to this chapter, or (2) receives a certificate pursuant to chapte…

Training program for contractors repairing and replacing certain concrete foundations

The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, in consultation with the Labor Commissioner and within available appropriations, establish a training program for contractors engaged in the repair and replacement of concrete foundations that have deteriorated due to the presence of pyrrhotite.

Reserved for future use.