State AG settles with dozens of CNY contractors over home-improvement law violations

Home-improvement contractors in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Watertown, and Binghamton regions were among those reaching a settlement with the state over violations of New York’s law on home-improvement contracts.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced a settlement with a total of 211 contractors, including 16 in the Syracuse area, 18 in the Utica–Rome region, 35 in the Watertown area, and 48 in the Binghamton region.

Schneiderman’s office didn’t name any of the contractors who agreed to settle.

The attorney general’s office conducted an investigation that revealed “widespread violations” of the law, including failure to provide written contracts or to honor the most basic terms of consumers’ work agreements, his office said.

The 211 contractors have signed an agreement to end their “unlawful” conduct and pay penalties and fines, the office said.

The contractors have agreed to do home-improvement work using only underwritten contracts that comply with the law. They’ll also place all advance deposits into a customer account at a local bank.

Each contractor paid penalties and costs ranging up to $1,500, according to the attorney general’s office.

When dealing with a home-improvement contractor, Schneiderman’s office advises consumers to obtain and check with references, obtain proof of insurance from the contractor, obtain the work order in writing, and to never pay the full price up-front.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com