This means that besides having a Home Improvement Contractor's License, the contractor must now also carry the CSL for these specific types of construction. If the contractor carries an unrestricted builders license or a 1&2 family builders license then they do not need to carry the sub-licenses to do the work.

4. Insurance is important for the contractor to have for your protection. They should have Worker's Comp. if they have a crew of any size and also Liability Insurance. Sole Proprietors that do not have a crew just need Liability. If a contractor says that they use sub-contractors then they should still have Worker's Comp for them, unless the sub-contractor carries his own Worker's Comp. or you are paying the subs directly. A contractor should have no problem supplying you with "Certificates of Insurance" for both Worker's Comp. and Liability with your name listed on the certificate.

5. If you are doing a deck or porch, changing your doors and/or windows sizes, doing an addition, remodeling your basement into separate rooms or anything that needs something built you need a Construction Supervisor's License (aka Builder's License) to do it, a Home Improvement Contractor's License is not enough. Many contractors state that they build decks and additions but do not have the proper licensing to do so.

6. Building permits can be issued to either the contractor or the homeowner, but it is advisable to have the contractor pull the permit. By pulling the permit, that person assumes all responsibility for the project. There is what is called the Guarantee Fund here in Mass. as another form of protection for a homeowner from unscrupulous contractors, but you are only eligible for it if the contractor pulls the permit. The permit needs to be posted so it is visible from the street at all times, if you don't see a permit for your project ask your contractor for it. Your local inspector has the right to order a "Stop Word Order" if he finds work being done without a permit which will cause your project to grind to a dead stop, as you will then have to apply for a permit. Projects done without permits can cause a lot of headaches down the road, from your town/city officials, trying to sell your home, and with your insurance company. Insurance companies look for any reason to not accept a claim and once they find out that work was done without a permit then they are more than happy to deny your claim. It's not worth the risk to do the work without the permit.

7. Any project valued at $1,000 or more needs to have a contract written up for it, both to protect the homeowner and the contractor. Make sure all items are listed and that you fully understand everything on it before signing it. If there are blank spaces or you do not understand it then DO NOT sign it, talk with your contractor and get your questions answered. Even after signing the contract you have three days to withdraw your approval and at no financial penalty to you under Massachusetts state law

8. Surprises are inevitable on most any project, some can be foreseen and accounted for by your contractor, but not all. No one can see inside a wall that has carpenter ant damage that has weakened the framing or a slow water leak that has rotted the frame. You may also find as the project progresses that you want to change things, this is normal. Changes and surprises will typically incur more costs so that price for your project could be higher by the end of it. Have a budget that is ready for extras because you don't want your project to come to a standstill because the money ran out. If there are no surprises then great, maybe you can buy a new barbecue for the deck or a larger TV for that addition, or throw it back into savings.