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Mass Consumer Affairs Blog
The Official Blog of the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Halloween season with all its spooky and scary glory is right around the corner! Despite all the fun that arises on Halloween night, taking safety precautions for both adults and children is important for a stress-free experience! Our tips and tricks below are the …Continue Reading Trick or Treat Yourself to our Halloween Tips!
With the fall upon us and temperatures dropping, you may be deciding to purchase wood to heat up your home this season. The Division of Standards (DOS) regulates the sale of wood and there are some things you should know. Whether you’re buying cordwood or …Continue Reading Get Heated, Not Cheated this Fall!
When it comes to residential contracting, home improvement contractors and homeowners go hand in hand. You may know about Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration but there’s always more to learn! In the last blog of our five-part, “HIC-Easy as 1-2-3” blog series, we explore HIC …Continue Reading HIC—Easy As 1-2-3! Part 5: Contractors
Whether you’re a new homeowner or have been living in your dream house for decades, it is never too late to learn more about the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law and its programs. In part four of our “HIC-Easy as 1-2-3” blog, we …Continue Reading HIC—Easy As 1-2-3! Part 4: Homeowners
In parts one and two of our “HIC-Easy as 1-2-3!” blog series you learned about the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law and how to apply for the Arbitration program. Now we’ll cover the fund that may reimburse a homeowner with an unpaid final judgment against …Continue Reading HIC—Easy as 1-2-3! Part 3: Guaranty Fund
After the ink is dry on your home improvement contract and the job is underway, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Thankfully, the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) law Arbitration program allows homeowners and registered contractors the opportunity to seek a resolution should a dispute arise. …Continue Reading HIC—Easy as 1-2-3! Part 2: Arbitration
If you are a home improvement contractor or homeowner in Massachusetts, we’ve got you covered with our introductory guide to understanding the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) programs – from both perspectives, the homeowner’s and contractor’s. This introduction to HIC programs is the first of our …Continue Reading HIC— Easy as 1-2-3! Introduction
With move-in day around the corner for college students, it’s important to be aware about tenant rights and renter’s insurance. We’ve compiled some tips and reminders as students prepare to move into off-campus apartments or houses: Beware of rental scams. Ensure that you visit …Continue Reading Keep Calm on Move-In Day!
Your phone rings with an unrecognized number, the voice on the other end says “Congratulations, you qualify to receive a free government grant to pay for home repairs…!” While this sounds exciting, it may be a scam. Phone scammers are constantly looking for new and …Continue Reading How To Spot A Government-Related Scam
With summer in full swing, the windows in your home are probably open from time to time. To a curious young child an open window can equal danger. Every year eight children under the age of 5 die from falling out a window, and over …Continue Reading Prevent Window-Related Injuries in Your Home!
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2019