UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR CAN NOT RECOVER UNDER HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACT OR IN QUANTUM MERUIT.
The Second Department affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff contractor’s complaint seeking quantum meruit and recovery under the lien law because the contractor did not allege it was duly licensed in Nassau County when the home improvement services were rendered:
” An unlicensed contractor may neither enforce a home improvement contract against an owner nor seek recovery in quantum meruit'” … . “Pursuant to CPLR 3015(e), a complaint that seeks to recover damages for breach of a home improvement contract or to recover in quantum meruit for home improvement services is subject to dismissal under CPLR 3211(a)(7) if it does not allege compliance with the licensing requirement” … .
Here, the complaint did not allege that the plaintiff was duly licensed in Nassau County at the time of the services rendered (see Nassau County Administrative Code § 21-11.2). Moreover … the plaintiff conceded that it did not possess the necessary license. Therefore, the plaintiff was not entitled to enforce its contract against the defendant or to recover in quantum meruit … . Holistic Homes, LLC v Greenfield, 2016 NY Slip Op 02619, 2nd Dept 4-6-16
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