What does the Office of Consumer Affairs do with regard to Home Improvement?

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) regulates the registration of contractors performing Home Improvement contracting work on 1-4 Unit owner-occupied homes that are the primary residence. They also administer the HIC Arbitration program and the Guaranty Fund, and conduct enforcement through a Complaint Program. 

Arbitration Program - to arbitrate disputes between contractors and homeowners.

Enforcement accepts complaints from homeowners and conducts administrative enforcement hearings.

Guaranty Fund - a fund of last resort for homeowners that have obtained a court judgment against a contractor. Contractors are obligated to reimburse the Fund for the amount paid to the homeowner with any accrued interest. Failure to reimburse the Fund could result in the suspension, revocation or reprimand of the contractor's registration as well as other penalties.

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1. Does Maynard have its own Building Codes?
2. Why a Building Permit?
3. When is a permit necessary?
4. What is an ordinary repair?
5. Do all pools require permits?
6. What if I want to change or amend my plans?
7. Can I change the plans once they have been approved?
8. Can I start work after I apply for my permit?
9. How long is my permit good for?
10. When does my project need to be inspected?
11. What do I do when the work is complete?
12. Who can be issued a Building Permit?
13. How do I check on a contractor?
14. What does the Office of Consumer Affairs do with regard to Home Improvement?
15. What about access requirements for handicapped persons?
16. How many layers of roofing are allowed to remain when re-roofing?
17. How long does it take to obtain a permit?
18. Do I need to provide anything else to an inspector?
19. Does someone need to be home during an inspection?
20. I am interested in buying a lot of land to build a house. How do I know if this lot is buildable?
21. Do Building Commissioners or Local Inspectors carry identification?
22. My neighbors recently started some construction. Should I have been notified before it began?
23. Do I need a permit for a driveway?
24. What is Construction Control?
25. Where can see a copy of the Building Code?
26. How do I know what kind of license is required for a job?
27. I am curious about the house that is going up next door. How can I find out more?
28. Do I need a Building Permit to add a stone patio or walkway?
29. How do I apply for a building permit?
30. When is payment due?
31. What size plans do I submit?
32. Is a licensed contractor required?
33. Can we defer the submittal for sprinkler or fire alarm work?
34. Will I be informed when the permit is issued?
35. What are the inspection requirements?