Authorities Crack Down on Unlicensed Home Contractors

A five-week sweep of unlicensed home improvement contractors in the metro area has resulted in nearly 700 violations issued and more than 130 vehicles seized.

New York City's commissioner of consumer affairs, Jonathan Mintz, said home contractor complaints top his department's list of grievances.

Mr. Mintz said more than 10,800 home improvement contractors have been licensed to work in the city. That's a 70% increase over the last five years.

During a two-month investigation, the Nassau County district attorney's office charged 51 people with operating without licenses. Four were charged with grand larceny after they were accused of stealing $150,000 from homeowners for work they didn't complete or didn't start.

In Westchester, the Department of Consumer Protection found 98 companies working without licenses.