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QUESTION:
Ken;
Just a little side note;
Connecticut has a HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION LAW that provides all applicants with the privilege of paying about $500.00 / year into the HOME IMPROVEMENT GUARANTY FUND.
This fund makes a consumer whole after getting shoddy work from a REGISTERTED CONTRACTOR.
The Department of Consumer Protection tried to get all electricians and alarm companies to register on the rationale that we were also home improvement contractors.
We were successful in fighting this off several years ago using the argument that WE ARE ALREADY A LICENSED TRADE REGULATED BY THE ELECTRICAL LICENSING BOARD. This board has enforcement and investigative powers as well as punitive authority. We have escaped so far but they keep trying.
Joel Kent
FBN Security Co LLC
Windsor CT.
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ANSWER:
Your comment prompts an interesting and important observation. Although many states now have licensing laws that license, register or permit alarm companies [ you can check state licensing at http://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/alarmlicreqstate.htm - and please let me know if your state needs updating ] that does not mean that the local office of Consumers Affairs does not have jurisdiction over you.
Your statewide license will no doubt prohibit local municipalities from trying to enact licensing requirements, but local Consumer Affairs offices retain jurisdiction to bring proceedings and punish businesses for deceptive business practices and violation of rules promulgated by the office of Consumer Affairs [unless your state licensing statute prohibits that and reserves all enforcement issues to the licensing board].
You need to be careful - even though you are not required to be licensed by your local office of Consumer Affairs you are most likely still under its jurisdiction. Therefore, if Consumer Affairs implements requirements for residential contracts you will be required to comply. This can involve type size, special notices, such as where complaints can be filed, and other informational issues, such as license numbers, telephone and street address on all company promotions and papers.
Give a call to your local Consumer Affairs office, or your state Attorney General's office, and ask for the requirements of that office for consumer contracts and business practices. Be sure to comply. Send what you find out to me so that it can be posted and also incorporated in the standard contracts [ www.alarmcontracts.com ] for your jurisdiction.