Home › New York
New York
Source: Local Help Stations (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 2, 2026.
In New York, home improvement contractor licensing is handled by certain cities and counties, state law sets firm rules for home improvement contracts, and the Department of Motor Vehicles regulates auto repair shops. These are the statewide rules we could confirm on official pages.
Key New York facts
- Home improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, and the City of Buffalo. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- State law requires a written contract for home improvement work over $500. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- The contract must give you three business days to cancel, unless you waive that right in writing during an emergency. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- Payments made before the job is substantially complete must go into an escrow account. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- If the contractor does not use escrow, it must give you a bond or contract of indemnity guaranteeing your money is used properly or returned. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- The Attorney General advises checking with your local building and codes office about permits before work begins. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- If a contractor or subcontractor is not paid, they may have a claim against your property under the Lien Law. (source: New York State Attorney General)
- Auto repair shops must be registered with the DMV and display a green and white registered repair shop sign. (source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles)
- New York's lemon law covers new cars and many used cars. (source: New York State Attorney General)
New York topics
New York auto
The New York DMV registers repair shops and enforces the Repair Shop Act, and the Attorney General runs the lemon law arbitration program.
Not covered yet
We have not published New York pages for these topics yet, because we have not confirmed enough New York specific facts on official pages: HVAC, Plumbing, Electrician, Roofing, Appliance repair, Garage doors, Locksmith, Pest control, Movers.
Sources
- New York State Attorney General: Contractors and home maintenance (checked November 2, 2026)
- New York State Attorney General: Home Improvement Fact Sheet (checked November 2, 2026)
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles: Know Your Rights in Auto Repair (Repair Shop Act) (checked November 2, 2026)
- New York State Attorney General: New car lemon law: fact sheet (checked November 2, 2026)
Last updated: