There will be a new effort by New York City and neighboring county governments to crackdown on illegal home improvement contracting.  A joint press release was issued yesterday: NY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE RESULTS OF COORDINATED ENFORCEMENT TARGETING UNLICENSED HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS.

Unlicensed home improvement contractors often do not perform quality work or follow required standards.  In the end this may cause consumers grief and result in higher costs and even put some homeowners at risk.  Home improvement contractors that do not comply with the law will face larger fines, vehicle seizures and other penalties.  In addition the NYC DCA has been combatting deceptive advertising in the home improvement industry and related illegal loan offers in the advrtisements.

New York City DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Roger Bogsted, and Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas J. Spota made the announcement together.  Representatives from the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection were also present at the press conference.

We have a number of categories related to Long Island home improvement services in our online bsuiness listings.  The listings include Nassau County and Suffolk County.  The categories include:

• Long Island home improvment contractors
• Long Island home heating system installation and repair services
• Long Island bathroom remodeling contractors
• Long Island building supplies
• Long Island kitchen remodeling contractors
• Long Island masons and stone work
• Long Island heating oil services
• and more…

If you have any concerns about these contractors please let us know immeiately.  We will be including  a new service where our website directory visitors can review individual business.  Look for this new feature in the coming months.

The press release described above also provided information on points of contact to check on whether a home improvement contractor is licensed.  You can also file a complaint on these government agency websites:

• New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
  (Dial 311 or www.nyc.gov/consumers)
• Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs (www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/oca)
• Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs
  (www.co.suffolk.ny.us or 631-853-4600)