Shore home contractors among 40 accused of state violations

Home improvement contractors in Toms River, Jackson and Eatontown are among 40 settling state allegations of defective or incomplete work and compliance violations during the last three months of 2015.

The New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) seeks an aggregate $481,477 in customer restitutions and penalties, according to the office of acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman.

Some have already agreed to resolve consumer complaints through payments or binding arbitration, and, where applicable, apply for state registration where applicable, Hoffman's office said.

DCA reports receiving 1,386 home-repair complaints in 2015, 133 more than the 1,253 logged in 2014, and the category remains atop the list of complaints filed with the department annually, officials said.

Restitution amounts, tied to allegations of subpar work, keeping deposits, or leaving prepaid work undone, range from $360 to $50,000. Civil penalties, for alleged infractions such as failure to furnish clients with detailed, written contracts for jobs above $500, or operating without registration, range from $1,250 to $7,000.

Home improvement projects costing more than $500 require written, detailed contracts that include points such as the agreed price, start and end dates, scope of work, and the contractor's business name, address and registration number.

DCA strongly suggests becoming familiar with a contractor prior to hiring, by speaking to others who have had dealings with the firm, and by asking for references.

Before signing the bottom line, DCA recommends obtaining a copy of the contractor's liability insurance policy and contacting the insuror to determine whether it's valid.

Be sure that warranties and guarantees are in writing, that the contract identifies the brands and types of materials to be used, and that the home improvement company has acquired applicable municipal permits, DCA suggests.

Additionally, authorities said, clients customarily do not pay the full cost of a job in advance.

To learn whether a contractor is state-registered, or to register a complaint, visit the DCA web page or call 800-242-5846.

See DCA's list of contractors here.