NY HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Must a contractor or salesperson provide the consumer with a separate
Notice of Cancellation?.
Answer: Yes. At the time of signing the contractor or salesperson must
attach to the signed contract two copies of a separate, completed form titled
"Notice of Cancellation." It must be in English and in any other language
used to negotiate the contract and include the following: 1. Name/address of
contractor 2. Date of transaction 3. Date until which the consumer may give
notice of cancellation
◍ What type of work qualifies as a capital improvement?.
Answer: Adding a bathroom to a home is an example of a capital
improvement.Repairs such as repairing a window frame or painting the
living room do not qualify as capital improvements.
◍ When a contractor hires a subcontracting company to perform a part of the
contract work in New York City, the subcontractor:.
Answer: Must be licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer
and Worker Protection
◍ Do salespersons need to notify DCA about their employers?.
Answer: Yes within 48 hours of new employment.
◍ Who is a "contractor"?.
Answer: Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts, controls, or
transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to perform
any home improvement or solicits a home improvement contract, whether or
not the contractor is a prime contractor or subcontractor. Can be an
, individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
◍ If asked to provide an estimate, a contractor may:.
Answer: Charge a reasonable fee as long as it is disclosed prior to the
furnishings of the estimate.
◍ What parts of a home can a H.I. include?.
Answer: Any part of the home OR land (including basements, driveways,
fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools,
and terraces.)
◍ The home improvement contractor has an obligation (Have to) to furnish the
buyer with a certificate of workers' compensation insurance prior to
commencement of work..
Answer: Must comply with this and have a clause in the written contract
putting the consumer on notice of this
◍ What is net profit of a job?.
Answer: The final profit of any job after expenses.
◍ What is the prosecution and fine penalties for engaging in unlicensed
activity or aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed person or
business?.
Answer: civil prosecution and $100 day fine.
◍ May a H.I. Contractor assign the task of getting permits, exemptions or C/O
to the home owner (customer)?.
Answer: No, The prime contractor must secure all necessary permits,
licenses, Certificates of Occupancy, or exemptions necessary to complete
the contract in accordance with state and local building laws.
◍ How many days does a contractor or salesperson have to honor valid notice
of cancellation?.
Answer: 10 business days
◍ What becomes of the contract entered into after misrepresentations?.
Answer: It may be declared null and void, and contractor may be ordered to
, pay restitution to the consumer.
◍ What must all advertising and sales literature contain?.
Answer: DCA Home Improvement Contractor license number.
◍ Obtaining an amended Certificate of Occupancy is the responsibility of:.
Answer: The contractor.
◍ What is the fine for false or fraudulent representation?.
Answer: A contractor or salesperson who lies is subject to fines of up to
$500 for each separate misrepresentation.
◍ Must a contractor furnish a consumer with a written estimate?.
Answer: Yes, if the consumer requests one.
◍ What should a contractor do to haul or transport waste resulting from home
improvement work?.
Answer: If you plan to haul or transport waste resulting from your business
operations, you must obtain a Class One Self Hauler Registration from the
New York City Business Integrity Commission. For an application and more
information, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/bic.
◍ When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed?.
Answer: About three months before license expiration, DCA will mail a
renewal package. It can be renewed by mail, online, or in person at the DCA
Licensing Center.You must submit an application to DCWP for a new or
renewed license. A separate Home Improvement Contractor license is
required for each place of business.
◍ Can a H.I. Contractor arrange a home loan or a home improvement loan for
a consumer?.
Answer: No, nor can they act as an agent for, advertise, or promote loans.
◍ Who is a "salesperson"?.
Answer: Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a consumer or tenant,
or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or tenant. - Local
Law 31 of 2020 repealed the licensing requirement for Home Improvement
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Must a contractor or salesperson provide the consumer with a separate
Notice of Cancellation?.
Answer: Yes. At the time of signing the contractor or salesperson must
attach to the signed contract two copies of a separate, completed form titled
"Notice of Cancellation." It must be in English and in any other language
used to negotiate the contract and include the following: 1. Name/address of
contractor 2. Date of transaction 3. Date until which the consumer may give
notice of cancellation
◍ What type of work qualifies as a capital improvement?.
Answer: Adding a bathroom to a home is an example of a capital
improvement.Repairs such as repairing a window frame or painting the
living room do not qualify as capital improvements.
◍ When a contractor hires a subcontracting company to perform a part of the
contract work in New York City, the subcontractor:.
Answer: Must be licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer
and Worker Protection
◍ Do salespersons need to notify DCA about their employers?.
Answer: Yes within 48 hours of new employment.
◍ Who is a "contractor"?.
Answer: Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts, controls, or
transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to perform
any home improvement or solicits a home improvement contract, whether or
not the contractor is a prime contractor or subcontractor. Can be an
, individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
◍ If asked to provide an estimate, a contractor may:.
Answer: Charge a reasonable fee as long as it is disclosed prior to the
furnishings of the estimate.
◍ What parts of a home can a H.I. include?.
Answer: Any part of the home OR land (including basements, driveways,
fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools,
and terraces.)
◍ The home improvement contractor has an obligation (Have to) to furnish the
buyer with a certificate of workers' compensation insurance prior to
commencement of work..
Answer: Must comply with this and have a clause in the written contract
putting the consumer on notice of this
◍ What is net profit of a job?.
Answer: The final profit of any job after expenses.
◍ What is the prosecution and fine penalties for engaging in unlicensed
activity or aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed person or
business?.
Answer: civil prosecution and $100 day fine.
◍ May a H.I. Contractor assign the task of getting permits, exemptions or C/O
to the home owner (customer)?.
Answer: No, The prime contractor must secure all necessary permits,
licenses, Certificates of Occupancy, or exemptions necessary to complete
the contract in accordance with state and local building laws.
◍ How many days does a contractor or salesperson have to honor valid notice
of cancellation?.
Answer: 10 business days
◍ What becomes of the contract entered into after misrepresentations?.
Answer: It may be declared null and void, and contractor may be ordered to
, pay restitution to the consumer.
◍ What must all advertising and sales literature contain?.
Answer: DCA Home Improvement Contractor license number.
◍ Obtaining an amended Certificate of Occupancy is the responsibility of:.
Answer: The contractor.
◍ What is the fine for false or fraudulent representation?.
Answer: A contractor or salesperson who lies is subject to fines of up to
$500 for each separate misrepresentation.
◍ Must a contractor furnish a consumer with a written estimate?.
Answer: Yes, if the consumer requests one.
◍ What should a contractor do to haul or transport waste resulting from home
improvement work?.
Answer: If you plan to haul or transport waste resulting from your business
operations, you must obtain a Class One Self Hauler Registration from the
New York City Business Integrity Commission. For an application and more
information, call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/bic.
◍ When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed?.
Answer: About three months before license expiration, DCA will mail a
renewal package. It can be renewed by mail, online, or in person at the DCA
Licensing Center.You must submit an application to DCWP for a new or
renewed license. A separate Home Improvement Contractor license is
required for each place of business.
◍ Can a H.I. Contractor arrange a home loan or a home improvement loan for
a consumer?.
Answer: No, nor can they act as an agent for, advertise, or promote loans.
◍ Who is a "salesperson"?.
Answer: Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a consumer or tenant,
or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or tenant. - Local
Law 31 of 2020 repealed the licensing requirement for Home Improvement
