NY Home Improvement Contractor Exam
Studyguide
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - ANSthe construction, repair,
remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or addition to any land or
building used as a residence or dwelling place.
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - ANSAny 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) - ANSCentral heating/air conditioning, Central
vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - ANSConstruction 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.? -
ANSWhen 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.? - ANSWhen it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement work.
Who is a "contractor"? - ANSAnyone 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? - ANSA contractor may be an individual, a firm,
a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - ANSAn agreement between a contractor and a consumer or tenant for
performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - ANSAll labor, services, and materials to be furnished and
performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - ANSSomeone 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? - ANSAny 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? - ANSNo
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
ANS$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
ANSNo, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
ANSIf they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an architect or engineer.
Must a H.I. Contractor license be posted? - ANSYes, 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? - ANS10 days
How many business locations can a H.I. Contractor's license cover? - ANSOne. A seperate
license is required for each place of business.
When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed? - ANSAbout 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)? - ANSNo, 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 years must a H.I. Contractor maintain copies of contracts, books of account, and
other records reflecting all transactions related to the home improvement business? - ANSSix
(6) years or the length of time of any contractual guarantee, whichever is longer.
What percentage of a customers payments can a Contractor use for administrative, overhead,
and other projects? - ANSThe contractor may not use funds received to pay expenses unrelated
to the home improvement, unless the home improvement is completed and all expenses for
direct labor, material, and subcontractors related to the home improvement have been paid.
No work should be performed and no money should be paid until after the ____ day cancellation
period? - ANS3 days
Studyguide
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - ANSthe construction, repair,
remodeling, alteration, rehabilitation, renovation, improvement, or addition to any land or
building used as a residence or dwelling place.
What parts of a home can a H.I. include? - ANSAny 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) - ANSCentral heating/air conditioning, Central
vacuum, Doors, windows, awnings, and Communication systems.
What is NOT considered H.I.? - ANSConstruction 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.? -
ANSWhen 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.? - ANSWhen it is a standalone job not part of of other home improvement work.
Who is a "contractor"? - ANSAnyone 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? - ANSA contractor may be an individual, a firm,
a company, a partnership, or a corporation.
What is a H.I. contract? - ANSAn agreement between a contractor and a consumer or tenant for
performance of a home improvement
What must a H.I. contract detail? - ANSAll labor, services, and materials to be furnished and
performed.
Who is a "salesperson"? - ANSSomeone 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? - ANSAny 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? - ANSNo
What is the maximum amount an H.I. job can be to not require a licensed contractor? -
ANS$200
Do plumbers and electricians who do not perform work outside their trade need a H.I. license? -
ANSNo, they have their own trade licenses.
When would an architect or engineer involved with an H.I. project need a contractor's license? -
ANSIf they are physically performing H.I. functions outside the scope of an architect or engineer.
Must a H.I. Contractor license be posted? - ANSYes, 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? - ANS10 days
How many business locations can a H.I. Contractor's license cover? - ANSOne. A seperate
license is required for each place of business.
When and how does a H.I. Contractor's license get renewed? - ANSAbout 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)? - ANSNo, 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 years must a H.I. Contractor maintain copies of contracts, books of account, and
other records reflecting all transactions related to the home improvement business? - ANSSix
(6) years or the length of time of any contractual guarantee, whichever is longer.
What percentage of a customers payments can a Contractor use for administrative, overhead,
and other projects? - ANSThe contractor may not use funds received to pay expenses unrelated
to the home improvement, unless the home improvement is completed and all expenses for
direct labor, material, and subcontractors related to the home improvement have been paid.
No work should be performed and no money should be paid until after the ____ day cancellation
period? - ANS3 days
