New Jersey launches ‘Nail It!’ campaign to protect consumers from home improvement fraud
NEW JERSEY — As spring cleaning gives way to summer home improvement projects, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs on Monday announced the launch of Nail It!, a consumer education campaign designed to protect New Jersey residents from being deceived or defrauded by contractors.
Grievances related to home improvement contractors consistently rank among the top consumer complaints received by the Division each year. Common issues include poor workmanship, missed deadlines, and contractors who fail to begin or complete projects after accepting payments. In 2024 alone, the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection issued 103 final orders imposing $2.6 million in civil penalties, restitution, and other costs against violators.
The Nail It! campaign aims to help consumers make informed decisions when hiring contractors to repair, remodel, or renovate their homes. The initiative, funded by a grant from the Sears Consumer Protection and Education Fund, employs social media messaging, educational handouts, and an online resource hub to provide guidance on navigating the hiring process.
“New Jersey is committed to protecting consumers from fraud and deception in the marketplace and holding violators accountable, especially in the state’s most complained-about industries, like home improvement,” Platkin said. “The Nail It! campaign advances our mission by educating and empowering homeowners to become their own best protectors against home improvement fraud.”
The campaign’s social media effort features infographics with consumer tips and is expected to reach more than 3 million viewers on Facebook and Instagram over the next eight weeks. A free brochure, Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor, is available online and at Consumer Affairs Local Assistance offices across the state. The new Nail It! webpage includes downloadable resources, red flags for scams, and additional tips.
“Home improvement projects are expensive investments that can cause significant disruption to consumers’ lives while in progress, which is why it’s important to make sure the work is done properly, on time, and on budget,” said Elizabeth M. Harris, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Our Nail It! campaign provides consumers with valuable information that can help their projects run more smoothly and help them avoid the risk of falling victim to home improvement scams.”
Officials encourage residents to review the Nail It! educational materials before undertaking home improvement projects.
