Town of Westwood, MA
Home MenuWork requiring a CSL or HIC
The table below shows what types of work require a Construction Supervisor License or Home Improvement Contractor Registration, for owner occupied 1-4 family dwellings. Note that this list may not be current/complete and is subject to change. Download the PDF version of the following table.
Work Requiring a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration or Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
for Existing Owner Occupied 1- to 4-Family Dwellings
| Type of Work (for jobs over $500 each or over $5000/yr total) | Do I need to be registered or licensed? | HIC Reg. | CSL | Do I need a Bldg. Permit? | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning, central. | see comments |
|
|
yes | By licensed trades only. |
| Awnings | no |
|
|
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Non structural only. |
| Carpentry, structural | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Carpentry, trim | yes | √ |
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| Decks | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Demolition | yes | √ | √ | yes | Demo CSL min. + HIC guaranty fund. |
| Door Replacement | yes | √ |
|
maybe | BP req’d if exit door or public safety concern. |
| Door Installation | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Driveways | no |
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|
| Energy Conservation Devices | no |
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Caulking, thermostats, light bulbs. |
| Fencing | no |
|
|
maybe | BP not req’d if less than six feet high. |
| Flooring, finish, carpet, tile | no |
|
|
maybe | Fire requirements in 3- and 4-family. |
| Flooring, structural | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Gutters | yes | √ |
|
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|
| Heating System, central. | see comments |
|
|
yes | By licensed trades only. |
| Insulation | yes | √ | √ | yes | Insulation CSL + HIC guaranty fund. |
| Kitchen Cabinets and Shelving | yes | √ | maybe | maybe | if public safety concern or not ordinary repair. |
| Landscaping, routine | no |
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| Locks | yes | √ |
|
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|
| Masonry Walls, not retaining | no |
|
|
|
If no threat to public safety. |
| Masonry, related to building. | yes | √ | √ | yes | Masonry CSL min.+HIC guaranty fund |
| Masonry, landscaping | no |
|
|
|
If no threat to public safety. |
| Painting, exterior | yes | √ |
|
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| Painting, interior | no |
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| Patios | no |
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| Plastering | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Plumbing | see comments |
|
|
yes | By licensed trades only. |
| Roofing , minor repairs | yes | √ |
|
maybe | Dependent on repair size. |
| Roofing, new or replacement | yes | √ | √ | yes | Roofing CSL + HIC guaranty fund. |
| Septic System Repairs/Installation | see comments |
|
|
yes | Requires Dept. Environmntl Protectn. License |
| Shed construction | yes | √ |
|
|
Floor area less than 200 square feet. |
| Sheetmetal/exhaust venting | see comments |
|
|
yes | By licensed trades only. |
| Sheetrock/wallboard | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Shutters | no |
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|
|
| Siding | yes | √ | √ | yes | Window/Siding CSL + HIC guaranty fund. |
| Solar Panels | yes | √ | √ | yes | Licensed plumber or electrician req’d |
| Solid Fuel Burning Appliance | yes | √ | √ | yes | Appliance CSL+ HIC guaranty fund. |
| Stairs, exterior | yes | √ | √ | yes | Must pay HIC guaranty fund. |
| Swimming Pools, above ground. | no |
|
|
yes | ANSI/NSPI-4 Design/Construction Required |
| Swimming Pools, below ground. | yes | √ |
|
yes | ANSI/NSPI-5 Design/Construction Required |
| Tile | no |
|
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| Walls, exterior retaining. | yes | √ |
|
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Less than 4 feet high. |
| Window Install/Replace | yes | √ | √ | yes | Window/Siding CSL + HIC guaranty fund. |
| Wiring | see comments |
|
|
yes | By licensed trades only. |
Note: This list is incomplete. It is provided by the BBRS Staff for guidance only. Revised 8/6/12.
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