GC Laws — Connecticut contractor-law checklist preview (free)
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. Public summaries remain free on gclaws.com.

[ ] Licensing
      - Connecticut uses different registrations for different construction work. The Department of Consumer Protection administers home-improvement contractor registration and a separate major-contractor registration for defined structural work on larger buildings. A major-contractor registration is distinct from Department of Administrative Services prequalification for bidding on covered public projects. New-home construction and licensed trades have separate requirements.

[ ] Mechanic's liens
      - A lien is not valid unless the claimant lodges the sworn certificate with the town clerk where the property is located within 90 days after ceasing to furnish the covered services or materials. The certificate identifies the property, amount, owner and commencement date as specified in §49-34.
      - A true and attested copy must be served on the owner before lodging the certificate or within 30 days afterward, using the manner prescribed by §49-35.

[ ] Retainage
      - Section 42-158k caps contractual retainage at 5% of estimated progress payments throughout the project.
      - The owner must pay all retainage within 30 days after the certificate of final completion from the owner/authorized representative or equivalent written acceptance by the owner.

[ ] Prompt payment
      - Covered contracts must require owner payment of amounts due within 30 days after a written request from a covered contractor, subcontractor or supplier under §42-158j(a)(1).
      - Contractor-to-subcontractor/supplier and successive lower-tier payments are due within 25 days after receipt of the corresponding payment. Payment requisitions must include the pending-change information required by §42-158j(b).

[ ] Prevailing wage
      - The statutory threshold is $1 million or more for new construction and $100,000 or more for remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair. The calculation includes the total cost of all work to be performed by all contractors and subcontractors, and the section has an alternative measure based on the total bond authorization for the project.
      - Covered contracts must provide the prevailing customary wage and applicable benefits for the covered worker classifications as determined by the Labor Commissioner.

[ ] Davis-Bacon (federal)
      - Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits.
      - Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions.
      - The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract.
      - Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act.
      - SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification.

This preview lists the topics and rules covered in the full state pack. The paid pack adds the complete source URLs, citations, review dates, and the three editable tools.
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