Most remodeling problems start before the first day of work, with a handshake deal, a vague quote or a contractor who is not who they said they were. Massachusetts gives homeowners real protections on remodeling work, but they only help if you know what to ask. These are the questions I would ask any contractor, including us.
1. Are you registered as a Home Improvement Contractor?
In Massachusetts, contractors doing most remodeling work on an existing home need to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor, known as an HIC. Ask for the registration number and check it on the state's public lookup to confirm it is active. Our registration number is 212308, held by Fornalski Construction Inc.
Registration matters for a practical reason: homeowners who hire an unregistered contractor are excluded from the state Guaranty Fund, which exists for exactly the situation where a contractor takes the money and does not deliver.
2. Are you insured, and can I see the certificates?
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers compensation. Liability covers damage to your home during the work. Workers compensation covers injuries to the crew on your property, which could otherwise become your problem. A contractor with nothing to hide will send the certificates without hesitation.
3. Will I get a written contract?
In Massachusetts, home improvement work over $1,000 has to be in a written contract. It should include the contractor's name and registration number on the first page, a detailed description of the work, the start and completion dates, the total price and the payment schedule, plus a notice of your three day right to cancel. If any of that is missing, ask why.
4. How much is the deposit?
Massachusetts limits the deposit a contractor can require before work starts to one third of the contract price, or the actual cost of special order or custom made materials if that is higher. A request for half the money up front on a standard job is a red flag.
5. Who will actually be on site?
Ask who runs the crew day to day, and whether the person who sold you the job stays involved once it starts. At Fornalski, my brother Sergio leads the crew on site himself, and I handle the estimates, the schedule and the communication, so you always know who to call.
6. How do you handle changes and surprises?
Older houses hide things, and almost every remodel has a moment when a wall opens up and something needs to change. A good contractor explains the issue, gives you options and puts the new scope and price in writing before doing the extra work. Ask how changes are documented and approved.
7. Who pulls the permits?
When a project needs a building permit, the contractor should pull it. Under Massachusetts rules, homeowners who take out their own permits for contracted work are excluded from the Guaranty Fund, so be careful with anyone who asks you to pull the permit yourself.
8. Can I see recent work and read what past clients say?
Photos of finished projects, recent reviews and homeowners with similar projects tell you more than any sales pitch. Look for reviews that mention communication, cleanliness and schedules, not just the finished look. You can read what our clients say: we are rated 5.0 on Google across 41 reviews.
A simple checklist before you sign
- HIC registration number checked on the state lookup.
- Liability and workers compensation certificates in hand.
- A written contract with the scope, dates, price and payment schedule.
- A deposit of no more than one third, unless special order materials justify more.
- A named person on site and a named person for your questions.
- Changes approved in writing before the work.
- Permits pulled by the contractor.
We are happy to answer every one of these questions for our own projects, and to show the paperwork before you sign anything. Learn more about our family business, or request a free estimate and ask us yourself.
