Homeowner Guide

How to Check a Remodeling Contractor in Westchester County

Last reviewed: October 2026

(914) 474-1951

Call (914) 474-1951 Request a Free Estimate

This page is how to check any contractor you are considering, including us. Everything on it is something the law already requires. A contractor who is doing things properly will not mind being asked.

Check the License

Westchester County requires home improvement contractors to hold a county license. The Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection issues it, and you can check any contractor's license by calling the department at (914) 995-2155.

There are three things you can look for without calling anyone. The license number is required on the contractor's advertising, proposals, contracts, and invoices — if you cannot find it, that is a sign. The county issues a vehicle decal to licensees, to be displayed on the vehicle. And the license is good for two years, so ask whether it is current. Our number is WC-33098-H20.

What the License Tells You About Insurance

The county requires proof of liability and property damage insurance and of workers' compensation and disability coverage before it issues a home improvement license. That is why checking the license is worth the phone call — a contractor whose license is current has already shown the county these coverages.

Get It in Writing — It Is the Law

Under New York General Business Law, a home improvement contract for more than $500 has to be in writing and signed by both the owner and the contractor. The owner must be given a copy signed by the contractor before any work is done.

The owner has the right to cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing, by written notice to the contractor. That right is in the law, and a contractor who does not mention it is not telling you something you are entitled to know.

Where Your Deposit Goes

Under New York Lien Law, payments a home improvement contractor receives from an owner before the work is substantially complete must be deposited within five business days in an escrow account at a bank in New York, where they remain the owner's property until earned — or, instead, the contractor may post a bond or similar guarantee for the return or proper use of the payments.

The written contract is required to tell you this. Ask any contractor which of the two they do. A contractor who cannot answer the question of where your money goes is a contractor worth thinking twice about.

Ask Who Pulls the Permit

The contractor doing the work should be the one applying for the permit. A contractor who asks the homeowner to pull the permit is often doing it to avoid putting their own name on the job. We pull the permits on our projects. See our permits and licensing guide for who issues permits in each town.

Ask Who Will Actually Be at Your House

On our projects that is Anthony Quattrone, who has more than 40 years of experience and is hands-on, with a team of ten. The person who looks at your house and gives you the estimate is the person who runs the work.

Ask What They Do Not Do

A contractor who says yes to everything is telling you something. We do not do handyman work, small repairs, or commercial work, and our projects start at $40,000. The things a contractor will not do tell you as much about them as the things they will.

Our Answers, in One Place

License number: WC-33098-H20
In business since 1988
We pull the permits
Owner on the job
Free estimates
One-year warranty
No financing offered
Residential only

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a Westchester County home improvement license?

Call the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection at (914) 995-2155 and ask. The license number is required on the contractor's advertising, proposals, contracts, and invoices, so you should have it in hand before you call. The license runs for two years, so ask whether it is current. Our license number is WC-33098-H20.

Is a handshake deal legal for a remodel in New York?

No, not for a home improvement contract over $500. Under New York General Business Law, a home improvement contract for more than $500 has to be in writing and signed by both the owner and the contractor. The owner must be given a copy signed by the contractor before any work is done.

Can I cancel a remodeling contract after I sign it?

Yes. The owner has the right to cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing, by written notice to the contractor. That right is in the law, and a contractor who does not mention it is not telling you something you are entitled to know.

What happens to my deposit?

Under New York Lien Law, payments a home improvement contractor receives before the work is substantially complete must be deposited within five business days in an escrow account at a bank in New York, where they remain the owner's property until earned — or, instead, the contractor may post a bond or similar guarantee for the return or proper use of the payments. The written contract is required to tell you this. Ask any contractor which of the two they do.

Should I pull the permit myself?

No. The contractor doing the work should be the one applying for the permit. A contractor who asks the homeowner to pull the permit is often doing it to avoid putting their own name on the job. We pull the permits on our projects. See our permits and licensing guide for more.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Local rules change, and you should confirm the requirements that apply to your project with your own building department.

Free Estimate

Request a Free Estimate

Call Anthony directly, or send the details below. We come to the house and give you a free estimate.

(914) 474-1951

Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM