In Connecticut, "Home improvement projects are required to have a written contract before the project starts" (DCP). You can cancel up to midnight on the third business day. If a registered contractor does not make things right, the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund may pay up to $25,000.

What goes in the contract

DCP's 2026 notice says the contract must include "the contractor's registration number, the project summary, timeline, cost" and your three-day cancellation right. It also says "Both parties must agree on who is pulling the building permit." (DCP 2026)

The three-day cancellation right

"A customer can cancel any time up to midnight on the third business day." Saturday counts as a business day. In an emergency, the homeowner can waive the right (DCP 2025).

Paying the deposit

DCP: "Deposits should never be paid in cash or through peer-to-peer apps." DCP also says legitimate contractors generally do not ask for more than one-third of the cost up front.

Insurance

Ask for proof of liability insurance "of at least $20,000," DCP advises (DCP 2026).

The Guaranty Fund

Consumers "may be eligible for the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund of up to $25,000" (DCP 2025). DCP's 2026 notice says the fund returned an additional $3 million to eligible consumers in 2025. The fund is tied to registration, so check the contractor first, as covered in how to check a Connecticut contractor.

FAQ

Does a Connecticut home improvement job need a written contract? Yes. DCP says home improvement projects need a written contract before the project starts.

How long do I have to cancel? Until midnight on the third business day. Saturday counts as a business day.

How much can the Guaranty Fund pay? Up to $25,000, according to DCP.

Can I pay the deposit by app? DCP says deposits should never be paid in cash or through peer-to-peer apps.

Sources: DCP 2025 news release, DCP 2026 news release.

In Connecticut, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) handles both. "All Home Improvement Contractors, New Home Construction Contractors, and Home Improvement Salespeople must be registered" (DCP). Electricians, plumbers and HVAC workers need a DCP trade license. DCP says to verify before you hire on eLicense.

How do I look one up?

DCP: "Be sure to verify licenses and registrations before you hire anyone." Use the eLicense lookup.

The trades

DCP says "Persons performing electrical, HVAC, plumbing, heating, and similar jobs must have the appropriate Connecticut license" (DCP). On heating and cooling it adds: "Heating, cooling and sheet metal workers must be licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection" (DCP heating and cooling).

The license categories on eLicense are Electrical (ELC), Heating, Piping and Cooling (HTG), and Plumbing and Piping (PLM). DCP notes that journeyperson licenses such as E2, P2 and S2 are valid only when working under a licensed contractor (DCP license types). If the person at your door holds a journeyperson license, ask who the licensed contractor is.

New homes

"Any person or business that builds a new home needs a registration, inclusive of speculative housing" (DCP new home construction). That is a separate New Home Construction Contractor registration.

Complaints

Email dcp.complaints@ct.gov or use ct.gov/dcp/complaint. DCP says it receives about 1,000 home improvement complaints a year (DCP 2025). Contract rules and the Guaranty Fund are in Connecticut home improvement contracts and the Guaranty Fund.

FAQ

Do Connecticut home improvement contractors need to register? Yes. DCP says all home improvement contractors, new home construction contractors and home improvement salespeople must be registered.

Where do I check a Connecticut license? On DCP's eLicense lookup at elicense.ct.gov.

Can a journeyperson electrician work on their own? DCP says journeyperson licenses such as E2, P2 and S2 are valid only under a licensed contractor.

Sources: DCP home improvement for consumers, DCP what other license does my contractor need, DCP heating and cooling, DCP license types, DCP new home construction contractor, DCP 2025 news release.