Verify Your Contractor
Check license, insurance, and reviews before signing anything.
Search by contractor name or license number. Verify the license is active, not expired, and shows no disciplinary actions before signing any contract.
🔍 MA HIC & CSL License Search →Massachusetts requires BOTH a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) AND a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for most residential work. Ask for both numbers and verify both before signing any contract.
When a contractor shows up after a storm, ask for their license number and look it up before they start work. Here are the license types that apply to hurricane repair work in Massachusetts:
Massachusetts coastal communities — Cape Cod, the South Shore, the North Shore, and the Islands — face significant hurricane and nor'easter risk. Massachusetts has two separate requirements: a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) for technical work and a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for the business relationship with homeowners.
Time matters — file complaints immediately. Agencies can sometimes freeze payments, seize bonds, or issue emergency stop-work orders when contacted quickly after fraud occurs.
City and town building departments. Cape Cod (Barnstable County), Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the South Shore have active coastal programs.. All hurricane shutter and impact window installations require a building permit. The permit process ensures your installation meets the wind load requirements for your specific wind zone.
Why permits matter for your insurance: Unpermitted hurricane shutter installations do not qualify for wind mitigation insurance discounts. If your home sustains hurricane damage and the protection system was unpermitted, your insurer may deny the wind mitigation claim. A permit and final inspection are the documentation your insurance company needs.
Having a price range before meeting contractors prevents price gouging and helps you identify lowball quotes (which often signal unlicensed work or material shortcuts). These are 2026 averages for Massachusetts:
| Shutter type | Per sq ft | Full home (avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accordion shutters | $26 to $35 | $6,000 to $18,000 | Most popular in South Florida |
| Roll-down (motorized) | $45 to $100 | $14,000 to $28,000 | One-button deployment |
| Storm panels | $8 to $15 | $1,500 to $5,000 | Lowest upfront cost |
| Impact windows | $40 to $80 | $15,000 to $40,000 | Highest insurance discount |
Prices are for materials and installation. Permit fees ($150 to $500) are additional. Use our free calculator for a county-specific estimate.
A legitimate hurricane shutter contractor's written quote includes specific line items that protect you. Here is what each element means and what missing items signal.
| Quote element | What it should say | Red flag if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Product description | Specific manufacturer, model, and FL Product Approval number | Cannot verify what is being installed or confirm code compliance |
| Material specs | Gauge of aluminum, slat width, track type, hardware grade | Contractor may substitute lower-quality materials |
| Permit line item | Permit fee included or explicit statement it is additional | Contractor may skip permit — major risk for insurance and resale |
| Payment schedule | Percentage at signing, percentage at installation start, balance at completion | No protection against abandonment after large upfront payment |
| Timeline | Permit application date, fabrication weeks, installation date range | No accountability for delays |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty term plus contractor labor warranty (typically 1 to 5 years) | No recourse for defective installation |
| License number | State license number printed on the quote document | Either unlicensed or hiding credentials |
Ask for the FL Product Approval number (or state equivalent) for the specific product they plan to install. A legitimate contractor answers immediately. One who cannot provide it either does not have an approved product or has not done this job before.
Verify at: services.oca.state.ma.us — check license status, class, and complaint history before any contact.
Massachusetts is the only state we cover that requires TWO separate credentials — an HIC registration AND a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) for structural work. Contractors with only one credential are working outside their license scope.
Cape Cod and Island properties book out quickly in spring. Schedule installations in March or April for June 1 hurricane season readiness. Confirm both HIC and CSL credentials at oca.state.ma.us.
Hurricane shutters prevent the damage that leads to emergency contractor calls. Get a free estimate and see your insurance savings.
Free Shutter Estimate → Massachusetts Recovery Guide →