NYC HOME IMPROVEMENT REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2024//2025
LATEST UPDATE// GRADED A+
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.
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - the 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? - 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.
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 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?
- Six (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? - The 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? - 3 days
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2024//2025
LATEST UPDATE// GRADED A+
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.
What is "home improvement" (H.I.)? (C R R R R A A I) - the 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? - 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.
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 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?
- Six (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? - The 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? - 3 days
