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Indianapolis painter offers tips for picking the right paint

Who we talked to Joshua Devries, owner Devries Painting 13265 Allisonville Road Fishers 332-8394

Joshua Devries says long-term goals can help assess the type of paint you choose.

Indianapolis photographer restores old portrait

The restored 16 x 20 print Shively presented to Holy Family Church.

Mr. [Frank] Abelard restored an old 16 x 20 photograph for and Indianapolis Angie's List member.

Indianapolis, suburban contractor license rules differ

City inspectors posted a stopwork order at Margaret Bell’s home after noting her contractor did not have a permit. (Photo by Brandon Smith)

There are no home improvement license requirements for general contractors or most skilled trades for Indianapolis' neighbors like Avon, Brownsburg, Noblesville, Carmel, Fishers and Zionsville.

Paint decision colors columnist crazy

Home painting project overwhelms couple with color choices.

Indianapolis roofing company allegedly abandons job

Homeowner claims the contractor started work 10 months late and then disappeared, purportedly leaving his roof partially removed and materials on his porch.

Indianapolis salon managers and owners discuss styles and trends

Representatives from three Indianapolis salons give you their well-coiffed highlights.

Unlicensed contractors feel the sting of the law

Police arrest an unlicensed contractor during a sting in California. (Photo courtesy of the California Contractors State License Board)

Each state and local licensing board across the country has its own procedures for catching unlicensed contractors. Some rely on consumer tips or work with building officials to ensure legality when a permit is pulled.

Dallas homeowner allegedly scammed by unlicensed contractor

The city of Dallas regulates trades like plumbing electrical and HVAC, but state officials say Texans must remain diligent about checking contractor licenses before hiring them. To become licensed, contractors must take an exam and show proof of insurance

Philadelphia photographer documents personal homes

Philadelphia photographer's unique business venture constructs pictorial books of a person's home, using interior and exterior images.

Tips for verifying contractor licensing

Five pointers to help you hire qualified professionals for your home projects.

Alexandria chimney sweep caught up in District loophole

Unlicensed work typically brings a stop-work order and a fine, but in egregious cases can be prosecuted for jail time.

How unlicensed contractors can cost you

Homeowner Allison Sacks says her unlicensed home inspector missed the fact that the home's windows were screwed shut and impossible to open. (Photo by Linda Johnson)

Contractor licensing is complex and varies from state to state. Homeowners and contractors can be frustrated by a system that can be called many things, but definitely cannot be called simple.

Columbus has complicated contractor licensing rules

Photo courtesy of Scott Kime | Working on basement wall framing, handyman Kime wants to do more extensive home-improvement work that would require licensing.

Becoming licensed, and verifying that someone is licensed, is not a simple process in Columbus. The city offers licenses in more than a dozen home-improvement trades, such as wood-deck installation.

Cincinnati requires registration for contractors

When seeking service providers for her 129-year-old home, Elizabeth Collins can check with a city program that registers contractors. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Collins)

On Jan. 1, 2008, the city created a contractor registration program mandating that permits for all residential and commercial work within the city limits be issued only to registered contractors.

HVAC company allegedly causes damage to Worthington A/C unit

Homeowner claims the contractor failed to fix her air conditioning unit and created additional problems during the service call.

Columbus drops contractor licensing exams

Columbus city officiakl David Daniel says home-improvement contractors still must show proof of insurance and bonding.

The city's Department of Development discontinued written exams for contractors seeking licenses for home improvement work in Columbus. But officials say other safeguards ensure the quality of new licensees

Chicago roofing company blamed for animal infestation

Homeowner claims the contractor did quality, but incomplete work on her roof that resulted in squirrels getting into her attic. She wants the company to pay for the cost to remove them.

Chicago salon managers and owners discuss styles and trends

Representatives from three Chicago-area salons give you their well-coiffed highlights.

Chicago roofer shut down for lack of contractor license

Photo courtesy of Aimee Bass | Not until midway through her roof replacement did Bass find out Williams Exteriors was not licensed.

An unlicensed Chicago roofer is no longer allowed to operate his business. Roofing is one of the few home-oriented trades regulated by the state.

Illegal contracting work common in Boston

Room for Improvement owner Patrick Blistain worked without a license between 2000 and 2002. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Blistain)

Hiring an unlicensed contractor leaves homeowners with fewer options if things go wrong.

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