Any person or business involved in a home improvement project more than $200 must get a license from the Department of Consumer Affairs to operate legally in New York.

How important is contractor licensing in Westchester County?

New York City maintains high standards for licensing. To obtain a home improvement license, applicants must pass a written exam.

Your liability risk when hiring Specialty Crafters

Licensed contractors in NYC are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Financial recourse when hiring Specialty Crafters

Licensed contractors contribute $200 to DCA's Trust Fund at the time of application and each time they renew or post a bond. DCA's Trust Fund reimburses homeowners who hired a licensed contractor who subsequently damaged their home and went out of business or left town.

What else should I know before hiring Specialty Crafters

NYC home improvement contractors are required to submit a copy of their fingerprints to the DCA and pass a criminal background check.

How is the BuildZoom score calculated?

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license status, insurance status, verified work history, standing with local consumer interest groups, verified reviews from other BuildZoom users and self-reported feedback from the contractor.

Why you should hire through BuildZoom

When it comes to major construction work or even minor alterations to your home, hiring the wrong contractor could result in incomplete or defective work. You may even find yourself dealing with huge liability claims. BuildZoom does the homework for you and helps you hire the right contractor.

You should get several bids before hiring a contractor

The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs recommends getting at least three written bids before hiring a contractor. Do not automatically accept the lowest bid - an abnormally low bid may indicate the contractor made a mistake and is not including the same work quoted by their competitors. We've made the bid collection process extremely simple (and free). Just click here to get started.

The best way to use BuildZoom is to let us recommend contractors for your remodeling projects.

Homeowners who hire through BuildZoom's free bidding system report high rates of satisfaction, and homeowners who research contractors online are twice as likely to be happy at the end of their project.

If you hire a contractor through BuildZoom, that contractor is accountable to us. We can enforce standards of behavior, mediate disputes, and guarantee satisfaction.

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BuildZoom’s database now contains every licensed contractor across the U.S. - over 2.5 million of them... Categorized contractor profiles are enriched using government data from state licensing boards, Better Business Bureau ratings, and more… BuildZoom jumped into the fray by announcing that it raised $10.6 million in a round led by Formation 8. ...the Y combinator-backed startup said it will be focused on remodeling projects, where the median budget is around $19,000… A new index compiled by BuildZoom — which identifies contractors for projects — found that renovations are running 2.8 percent above their 2005 level…

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Browse remodeling photos

If you are looking for remodeling ideas, you can browse hundreds of beautiful photos of work performed by our general contractors.

Browse building permits

You can use our building permit search to see the contractors who are active in your neighborhood and the projects currently taking place.

Get a cost estimate

Use our remodeling calculator to get a ballpark estimate for your project. If you're ready to hire, use our bidding system to get actual quotes from local contractors.

We'll help you find the right contractor.

Share your project details and we'll reach out to Specialty Crafters so you don't have to.

We'll also connect you with other vetted professionals who are a strong match for your project. That way, you can compare quotes, meet different contractors, and make the choice that feels right for you.

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