How to Hire a Contractor in Massachusetts: A Homeowner Checklist

Not every project needs a general contractor. A single repair, like patching drywall or fixing a sticking door, is often a job for a skilled handyman or a small repair crew. A bathroom remodel, a kitchen with new cabinets and flooring, or a renovation that touches several rooms usually needs someone who can coordinate trades, schedule inspections and manage the whole sequence.

Before you call anyone, write down the scope in plain words: which rooms, what you want removed, what you want installed, and any problems you already know about, such as a soft spot in the bathroom floor or old plumbing. A clear scope makes estimates comparable and keeps contractors from guessing.

Also note the age of your home. Much of the housing in Chelsea, Everett, Somerville and Malden was built between 1890 and 1930, and older homes often hide surprises like plaster walls, uneven framing and outdated wiring. A contractor who works in these neighborhoods regularly will ask about them early.

In Massachusetts, contractors who do home improvement work on existing owner-occupied homes with one to four units generally must be registered under the state Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) program. This covers most remodeling, repairs and renovations on the homes most people in Greater Boston actually live in, including triple-deckers where the owner lives in one unit.

You can look up a registration on the state website by name or registration number. Confirm the name on the registration matches the name on the estimate and the contract. Hiring a registered contractor matters because it is tied to state consumer protections, including access to the Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration Program and the state Guaranty Fund if something goes wrong.

Be careful if a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself as the homeowner. Homeowners who take out their own permits typically give up some of those HIC protections. Rules can change, so confirm the current details with the state Office of Consumer Affairs and your local building department.

The HIC registration is a consumer protection registration, not a license to do structural work. In Massachusetts, work covered by the state building code, such as removing or altering a load-bearing wall, adding framing, or building an addition, generally requires a licensed Construction Supervisor (CSL) to be responsible for the permit.

Plumbing, gas and electrical work are separate again. Those trades must be done by licensed plumbers, gas fitters and electricians, who usually pull their own permits. A good general contractor will tell you up front which parts of your project need which licensed trade.

Ask any contractor, including us, for their registration and license details and for proof of insurance. A professional will hand them over without hesitation.

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage. This protects you if a worker damages your home or a neighbor's property. In Massachusetts, employers are also generally required to carry workers' compensation, which protects you if someone is hurt on your property.

The safest approach is to have the certificate sent directly from the insurance agent, and to check the policy dates. A certificate that expired last spring does not protect you this fall.

Massachusetts law generally requires home improvement contracts over $1,000 to be in writing. Even on smaller jobs, a written agreement prevents most disputes. A solid contract should include:

The full names, addresses and registration numbers of the contractor and the homeowner. A detailed scope of work and the materials, including brands or allowances where it matters. The total price and a payment schedule tied to completed stages of work. Start and substantial completion dates. Who is responsible for permits. How change orders are handled, in writing and priced before the extra work starts. Warranty terms on the workmanship.

If you sign the contract in your home, you may have a short legal window to cancel. Ask about it and read the notice in the contract.

Under Massachusetts rules, a contractor generally may not require more than one third of the total price as a deposit before work begins, with an exception for special-order custom materials that must be purchased in advance. A request for half or more up front, with no special-order items involved, is a warning sign.

Tie later payments to milestones you can see, such as demolition complete, rough-in passed inspection, tile set, and final walkthrough. Hold the final payment until the punch list is finished and the inspector has signed off.

Pay with a method that leaves a record: check, bank transfer or Zelle. If you pay cash, get a signed receipt every time.

No written estimate, or an estimate that is a single number with no breakdown. Pressure to sign today to lock in a price. A large cash deposit with no contract. Reluctance to show registration or insurance. A suggestion to skip permits to save time or money. No local address or only a cell number with no business name.

Compare at least two or three estimates, but compare scope, not just price. The lowest number often leaves out demolition, disposal, subfloor repair or cleanup. Ask each contractor what is included, what is excluded and what happens if they find rot or old wiring once the walls are open.

Finally, pay attention to communication. A contractor who answers your messages quickly and explains things clearly before the job is likely to do the same during it.