Legal Question in Construction Law in New York

home improvement contractor license

I am having problems with my contract work, and I am trying to figure out if my contractor is legally licensed. The contractor I signed a contract with is not licensed. However, my building required a contractor's license, so the contractor gave me the license of an ''associate''. However, the ''associate'' license number cannot be found on the NYC Department of Consumer Affair's online license database, and also the copy of the associate's license he gave me expires 6/30/07. While the work was supposed to be completed around 6/30/07, there is no way it will be completed before August, if that.

Is my contractor legally licensed?


Asked on 7/19/07, 11:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Colleluori The Law Offices of Anthony J. Colleluori & Associates PLLC

Re: home improvement contractor license

Your contractor was never legally licensed. He cannot work under another's license. You needed to have a contract with the associate and then they could have hired as a sub-contractor the guy you have.

As for the "expired" license, I think they could finish the job but you have to check with the Consumer Affairs folks.

Note If your contractor is not licensed in NY, you do not have to pay him for the work he does, however he does not have to give you back any money he has collected from you.

That said, if the work is good, hire a licensed construction manager to oversee the work and have your guy answer to him.

Good luck.

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Answered on 7/21/07, 3:31 pm


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