Would you hire an unlicensed electrician to wire your hot tub, or have some person off of the street build your deck? What if that person sells you the work based on their professionalism and integrity, even though they know that performing the work is illegal?
This is what is happening when any person who is not a licensed arborist offers to prune, cable, fertilize, or spray trees on your property. Connecticut law is very specific regarding what work can and cannot be done by non-licensed contractors.
A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSE DOES NOT PERMIT THE CONTRACTOR TO DO WORK RESERVED FOR ARBORISTS BY THE LAW. THEY ARE BREAKING THE LAW EVEN BIDDING THE JOB.
Why should you care?
Check with your insurance agent to see if you are protected from liability from damage/injury from an unlicensed or improperly licensed contractor. Many homeowner's policies have requirements for contractors working in and around your home. They do this to protect themselves financially, and so should you. Numerous successful lawsuits have been brought against homeowners when an unlicensed contractor or employee is injured while on their property. Legal costs alone will outweigh any savings provided by going with the "cheapest bid".
