NYC Home Improvement Question and
Answer 2026/2027 | Grade A+ Updated
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? -✓✓Any part of the home OR land
(including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches,
sidewalks, swimming pools, and terraces.)
What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) -✓✓Central heating/air conditioning,
Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? -✓✓Construction of a new home or building, Sale
of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application of goods
or materials, Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state or
municipality
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment
considered H.I.? -✓✓When there is painting work being done as part of other
home improvement work.
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT
considered H.I.? -✓✓When it is a standalone job not part of of other home
improvement work.
Who is a "contractor"? -✓✓Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts,
controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to
perform any home improvement.
What legal entity is a contractor required to be? -✓✓A contractor may be an
individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? -✓✓An agreement between a contractor and a consumer or
tenant for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? -✓✓All labor, services, and materials to be
furnished and performed.
, Who is a "salesperson"? -✓✓Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a
consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or
tenant.
Who must have a DCA license? -✓✓Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a
DCA license.
Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate
contracts, need to be licensed? -✓✓No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed
contractor? -✓✓$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a
H.I. license? -✓✓No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a
contractor's license? -✓✓If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside
the scope of an architect or engineer.
Must a H.I. Contractor license be posted? -✓✓Yes, it must be posted in the
Contractor's office where all consumers can see it, or show it to consumers upon
request.
Change of business address, ownership, management, or trade name must be
reported to DCA within how many days? -✓✓10 days
How many business locations can a H.I. Contractor's license cover? -✓✓One. A
seperate license is required for each place of business.
When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed? -✓✓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.
May a H.I. Contractor assign the task of getting permits, exemptions or C/O to the
home owner (customer)? -✓✓No, The prime contractor must secure all necessary
Answer 2026/2027 | Grade A+ Updated
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? -✓✓Any part of the home OR land
(including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches,
sidewalks, swimming pools, and terraces.)
What system installations are part of H.I.? (4) -✓✓Central heating/air conditioning,
Central vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? -✓✓Construction of a new home or building, Sale
of goods or materials in connection with the installation of or application of goods
or materials, Work performed on a residence owned or controlled by the state or
municipality
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment
considered H.I.? -✓✓When there is painting work being done as part of other
home improvement work.
When is Painting or decoration of a building, residence, home, or apartment NOT
considered H.I.? -✓✓When it is a standalone job not part of of other home
improvement work.
Who is a "contractor"? -✓✓Anyone who owns, operates, maintains, conducts,
controls, or transacts a home improvement business and undertakes or agrees to
perform any home improvement.
What legal entity is a contractor required to be? -✓✓A contractor may be an
individual, a firm, a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? -✓✓An agreement between a contractor and a consumer or
tenant for performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? -✓✓All labor, services, and materials to be
furnished and performed.
, Who is a "salesperson"? -✓✓Someone who negotiates a H.I. contract with a
consumer or tenant, or solicits a home improvement contract from an owner or
tenant.
Who must have a DCA license? -✓✓Any person who solicits, canvasses, sells,
performs, or obtains a H.I. contract as a contractor or salesperson must have a
DCA license.
Does an individual employee of a contractor, who does not solicit or negotiate
contracts, need to be licensed? -✓✓No
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed
contractor? -✓✓$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a
H.I. license? -✓✓No, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a
contractor's license? -✓✓If they are physically performing H.I. functions outside
the scope of an architect or engineer.
Must a H.I. Contractor license be posted? -✓✓Yes, it must be posted in the
Contractor's office where all consumers can see it, or show it to consumers upon
request.
Change of business address, ownership, management, or trade name must be
reported to DCA within how many days? -✓✓10 days
How many business locations can a H.I. Contractor's license cover? -✓✓One. A
seperate license is required for each place of business.
When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed? -✓✓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.
May a H.I. Contractor assign the task of getting permits, exemptions or C/O to the
home owner (customer)? -✓✓No, The prime contractor must secure all necessary
