Find Certified Contractors in Boston, Massachusetts

Depending on the type of work you're having performed, you may need to apply for a building permit with your city. Permits allow local governments to keep communities safe and ensure compliance with state construction codes.

In Massachusetts, most home improvement contractors must be registered with the state in order for homeowners to be eligible for protection under the state's Home Improvement Contractor Law. However, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation states that contractors performing certain types of work are exempt from this requirement, including installers or providers of the following:

• Central heating and air conditioning
• Energy conservation devices (excluding solar panels)
• Landscaping
• Interior painting
• Wall and floor coverings
• Fencing
• Freestanding masonry walls
• Above-ground pools
• Shutters and awnings
• Ground-level patios
• Driveways

Certain licensed professionals—such as architects, electricians, and plumbers—who provide services that are exclusively within the scope of their profession as well as some part-time and small-job (under $500) contractors do not need to be registered.

Workers' Compensation: Massachusetts requires workers' comp for ALL employers with 1+ employees—one of the strictest states. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders and significant fines.

General Liability: While not state-mandated, general liability is effectively required for all contractors, with an industry standard minimum of $1,000,000. Boston often requires higher limits for projects affecting public safety or historic buildings.

The Best Pick Promise: We verify that every Best Pick contractor holds valid general liability insurance and meets all state-mandated workers' compensation requirements. You can also verify a license directly via the MA Office of Consumer Affairs.

Boston's climate ensures that residents get to enjoy all four seasons. With the city's average annual snowfall reaching nearly 44 inches (potentially 100+ in extreme years) and temperatures that can reach the century mark at the height of summer, homes in Greater Boston have to endure extremes on both ends.

Several feet of snow each winter means that neglecting roof maintenance and gutter cleaning can cause big problems for your home down the line. Poor insulation or clogged gutters can lead to ice dam formation, which then creates a possible risk of water damage to the interior of your home.

Central air is far from ubiquitous in this part of the country, but a fully functioning heating system is absolutely essential. Making sure that maintenance and any necessary repairs are performed long before the first snowfall is the best way to protect yourself from uncomfortable and potentially dangerous winter nights.

Best Pick Reports conducts independent consumer satisfaction research in Boston annually. We survey thousands of homeowners who have recently hired home service companies, analyzing their experiences to identify contractors who consistently deliver quality work.

To earn Best Pick certification in Boston, companies must:

• Maintain a 4.0+ Google rating or 80%+ customer recommendation rate
• Hold all required state and local licenses
• Carry general liability insurance [+ workers' compensation where required]
• Have no unresolved complaints or regulatory violations
• Re-qualify annually through fresh consumer satisfaction surveys

We verify licensing and insurance annually for every certified company. When you hire a Best Pick contractor, you're also protected by our Best Pick Guarantee, which provides up to $2,500 in coverage if a certified company fails to meet their commitments.