What is Home Improvement Contractors (HIC)?

A Home Improvement Contractor ("HIC") is defined as any person who owns or operates a contracting business who, through himself or others, undertakes, purports to have the capacity to undertake, offers to undertake, or submits a bid for residential contracting work to an owner, as such work is defined in 780 CMR R6 and Massachusetts General Law chapter 142A (which are the rules and regulations pertaining to the program). All HICs must be registered with OCABR.

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1. For which projects are building permits required?
2. Does the Building Code define minimum requirements for building plan submissions?
3. What is Home Improvement Contractors (HIC)?
4. What is the difference between a HIC and a CSL Contractor?
5. Why should I hire a registered home improvement contractor?
6. What if my Home Improvement; Contractor does not have a Construction Supervisor’s License, and my project requires a CSL license?
7. I am having my roof replaced or replacement windows or siding work done. Will I need both a registered Home Improvement Contractor and a Construction Supervisor’s Licensee?
8. If I am building a new home (new construction), will I need a Home Improvement Contractor?
9. What is a Building Permit?
10. Are permit inspections and final inspections from the Local Building Departments required?
11. Who is responsible for making application for the permit?
12. My contractor told me I need to obtain the permits for my construction. May I obtain the relevant permits from my local building department, or is the contractor required to do that?
13. What if I choose to do the work or hire unlicensed, unregistered persons?
14. What if my registered Home Improvement Contractor does not have a Construction Supervisor’s License, and the project requires a CSL holder, what do I do?
15. Do you need a Construction Supervisor’s License and a Home Improvement Registration to construct an addition to an existing home?