FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                May 11, 2009

COUNTY CRACKS DOWN ON UNLICENSED HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS

Latest enforcement sweep nets 20 unlicensed businesses

            A three-week enforcement sweep by the county Department of Consumer Protection has led to violations being issued against 20 unlicensed home improvement contractors.  The department seized the vehicles and tools of two of these contractors, who were found to be working even after their licenses had previously been denied or revoked.   

            “The message is clear:  we mean business when it comes to cracking down on unlicensed contractors,” said County Executive Andy Spano.  “We’re keeping up our aggressive, zero tolerance approach.”

            Home improvement complaints have perennially ranked as the top consumer complaint in Westchester.  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.

            During the sweep, field inspectors conducted 290 inspections of home improvement contractors at worksites throughout the county.  Of those, 20 contractors did not have a license.

            Significantly,  the percentage of unlicensed contractors found by inspectors - - 6.9% - - continues a downward trend.  In a sweep conducted last fall, 8.4% of contractors found to be working in the county were unlicensed.  In the two prior sweeps, the rate was 17%.

            “Our enforcement efforts, including use of the seizure/impound law, are paying off,” said Gary Brown, director of Consumer Protection.  “And we’re going to keep up the pressure.”

            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 in Westchester without a license.       

            The contractors whose vehicles and tools were seized were Green Environment Landscaping of White Plains, whose license was revoked in 2007, and Sitanoah Ltd. d/b/a Kisco Lawn & Landscape of Bedford Hills, whose license application was denied in 2004.

            The department also checked for compliance with a new county law, effective this year, that requires landscapers to use low emission leaf blowers that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase 2, 2007 exhaust standards.  All but one leaf blower checked was in compliance.

            All leaf blowers manufactured on or after January 1, 2007 meet those standards.  Some leaf blowers manufactured prior to January 1, 2007 may also meet the standards - - check with the manufacturer.  

            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.

            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 at www.westchestergov.com/consumer or by telephone at (914) 995-2155.  You can also check to see whether there have been complaints against the contractor.

· Avoid contractors who show up at your doorstep unannounced or contact you through telemarketing. 

· Avoid transient contractors who only have a P.O. 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.

            Further information on hiring a contractor, including a brochure and video with useful tips, can be found on www.westchestergov.com.