Lecture: Contractors Registration Act - How it Has Been Interpreted and Applied by the Courts

Seminar: Contractors Registration Act - How it Has Been Interpreted and Applied by the Courts

Things have changed over the past few years and there is now some case law discussing the Contractors Registration Act.  This lecture will provide an analysis not just of the Act, but of how it has been interpreted and applied by the courts.

“Most home improvement contractors have a general awareness of the Contractors’ Registration Act (“Act”), but still may not know enough to avoid running afoul of its heavy hammer.   For example, many contractors do not know all the different types of work that fall within the Act’s definition of “Home Improvement Contractor”.  The Act, makes any contractor remodeling, altering, painting, repairing, renovating, restoring, moving, demolishing, or modernizing a residence, subject to its provisions.  Many contractors are also unaware of the fact that failure to comply with the Act is a 4^th degree crime and subjects them to far more than a simple civil penalty.  Often contractors will complain that they did not know about the Act and so could not be held responsible for their failure to comply with its many mandates.  The Courts of New Jersey have heard this argument and specifically ruled that a person can still be held in violation of the Act even if they did not know about it.  Contractors must be aware of the Act’s requirements.  There is no excuse under New Jersey law for failing to become fully informed.”

Presented by:

James A. Kozachek, Esq.   BISGAIER HOFF, LLC
Jeffrey K. Newman, Esq.    BISGAIER HOFF, LLC