Home Improvement Contractor

Any permanent change to residential property, including but not limited to driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, flooring, patios, landscaping, painting, fences, doors and windows, waterproofing, and alarm systems not requiring electrical work.

Home improvement does not include:

• Work done by the homeowner on their own property
• Sub-contracted work
• Work that is covered under the scope of a trade license
• Work done on commercial property
• Work where the contract is less that $200
• Property maintenance such as snowplowing, mowing, pruning, or cleaning services
• Tree and shrub cutting and grinding
• Building new homes or a portion of new homes (see New Home Construction Contractor)

New Law (Public Act 21-197) Effective July 1, 2022:

• All applicants must obtain general liability insurance of no less than $20,000 to be eligible for a home improvement contractor registration.  Applicants will be required to provide the name of their insurance provider and policy number in their application.
• All applications must be submitted online. 

New Application:

• You must determine whether you want to register as an individual (sole proprietorship) or a legal entity (LLC, corporation) prior to applying.
• If you contract with consumers as an LLC, then you should register as an LLC. Holding a home improvement contractor registration as an individual does not cover the LLC.
• Legal entities (both in-state and out-of-state) must register their business with the CT Secretary of State’s Office prior to applying.
• If you will be building new homes, you should apply for a New Home Construction Contractor registration first. You can designate home improvement work as part of that registration process. (see New Home Construction Contractor)
• Online Initial Application Instructions

   For an Individual or Legal Entity

All registrations expire annually on March 31^st. The annual renewal fee is $220.00. 

Important New Law Notification:   

Pursuant to Public Act 21-197 Effective July 1, 2022:

• All applicants must obtain general liability insurance of not less than $20,000 to be eligible for a home improvement contractor registration.  Applicants will be required to provide the name of their insurance provider and policy number in their online renewal.
• All renewals must be submitted and paid online.   
• The department can no longer accept paper renewal notices and checks that are received through the mail or placed in the drop box.

All renewal notices are sent approximately 30 days prior to the expiration date of the registration. If you did not receive a notice with your User ID and/or the Fast Track Renewal PIN, send an email to dcp.online@ct.gov and include the following:

1. Name
2. Registration type
3. Registration number
4. Email address
5. Indicate which login you are requesting: 
   - User ID and Password for full access to your account and renewal  
   - Fast Track Renewal PIN for access to renew only

• User Id and Password Instructions
• Fast Track Renewal Instructions

Reinstatement: 

Change, Addition, or Removal of Owner for Legal Entity:

• Home Improvement Contractor Legal Entity Ownership Change Form

Individual-Sole Proprietor to Legal Entity:

• Home Improvement Individual-Sole Proprietor to Legal Entity Change Form

Additional Information:

• The expiration date for home improvement contractor registrations has changed from November 30^th to March 31^st.  Please be advised that the department has started to transition the expiration date for all applications. (Public Act 21-137)

• Law and Regulation
• Home Improvement & New Home Construction in Connecticut (Manual for Contractors)
• Requirements for Radon Mitigation
• Requirements for Removal of Underground Oil Storage Tank
• Information for Home Improvement Contractors
• Criminal Conviction Application Worksheet:  If applicable, complete and attach the Criminal Conviction Application Worksheet (CHRO) to your application or renewal notice. 

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