Notable Albanian-Owned Contractors & Home Services Firms
1. Mr. Green Contractors LLC (NYC Metro)
Type: General contracting | Location: NYC metro area Mr. Green Contractors is an Albanian-owned general contracting company serving the New York City metro area. Standard general-contracting scope, new construction, renovations, additions, and interior work. ➤ View on ALB Connection2. D & Y Building and Renovation Corp (NYC Metro)
Type: Building & renovation | Location: NYC metro area D & Y specializes in the residential building-and-renovation work that anchors the Albanian contractor industry in NYC, from full renovations to additions and new builds. This is the kind of firm you hire for a gut job or a multi-year construction plan. ➤ View on ALB Connection3. Infinity Long Island Construction Corp (Long Island)
Type: Construction | Location: Long Island / NYC metro Infinity Long Island is one of the Long Island-focused Albanian-owned construction firms in the directory. If you’re on the Island specifically, Nassau or Suffolk County, this is a starting point. ➤ View on ALB Connection4. Empire Capital Construction (NYC Metro)
Type: Construction | Location: NYC metro area Empire Capital Construction is another NYC-based Albanian-owned construction firm. Standard capital-projects scope. ➤ View on ALB Connection5. Gentys Home Improvement Services Inc (NYC Metro)
Type: Home improvement | Location: NYC metro area Gentys is a home improvement specialist rather than a full-scope general contractor, better fit for renovation projects, remodels, and improvements rather than new construction. ➤ View on ALB Connection6. R & L General Contractor Masonry Inc (Staten Island, NYC)
Type: General contracting + masonry | Location: Staten Island, NY R & L, based on Sand Lane in Staten Island, combines general contracting with in-house masonry (brick and stone veneer, stucco, brick and block work), plus remodeling, roofing, waterproofing and paving, according to its website. If your project needs both structural work and mason craftsmanship (facades, retaining walls, exterior stonework), a firm that does both under one roof is usually a smoother experience. ➤ View on ALB Connection | Visit their website7. Signature Windows and Doors Mfg Corp (NYC)
Type: Windows & doors manufacturer | Location: NYC Signature is a specialist Albanian-owned windows-and-doors manufacturer rather than a general contractor. Useful contact if your project involves custom or replacement windows/doors, going direct to a manufacturer may save on markup versus buying through a general contractor. ➤ View on ALB Connection8. Durendal Group (NYC Metro)
Type: Construction group | Location: NYC metro area Durendal Group is one of the larger-name construction operations in the directory. Multi-project scope, NYC metro-focused. ➤ View on ALB Connection9. TJ Contracting Group Inc (NYC Metro)
Type: General contracting | Location: NYC metro area TJ Contracting Group is another mid-sized NYC-metro Albanian-owned contractor. ➤ View on ALB Connection10. New Line Monitoring (NYC Metro)
Type: Monitoring, security & construction | Location: NYC metro area New Line Monitoring is a slightly different profile, a security and monitoring firm with construction operations. Relevant if you need construction plus security systems (jobsite monitoring, alarm installation, camera systems). ➤ View on ALB Connection And many more Albanian-owned contractors, masons, and home improvement firms across the US. Browse the full list here.Why Albanian Contractors Are So Established in New York Construction
Much of the story goes back to the 1960s and 1970s, when Albanians from Yugoslavia (Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia) and from northern Albania settled in New York in larger numbers. Many found work as building superintendents, in building maintenance and in the construction trades. Over time, some moved from working on other contractors’ jobs to running their own operations, often with sons taking over from fathers. Today, Albanian-owned contractors are a recognized force in NYC-metro residential construction, particularly in the outer boroughs (Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn), Westchester, Yonkers, Long Island, and increasingly Connecticut and New Jersey. The community effect is strong: an Albanian contractor will often bring in an Albanian mason, window-and-door supplier, or electrician for the same project. Beyond New York, Albanian-owned contractors are also active in Metro Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston, and the directory also lists firms in Florida and Texas.How to Choose an Albanian-Owned Contractor
1. Match the scope to the firm. A general contractor is different from a home improvement specialist, which is different from a mason. For a full renovation or new build, hire a general contractor. For a remodel or repair, home improvement. For stonework or masonry-heavy exteriors, look for a firm that lists masonry explicitly (like R & L General Contractor Masonry). 2. Confirm license and insurance. In New York City, anyone doing home improvement work worth more than $200 on a residential building must hold a Home Improvement Contractor license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). New home construction, plumbing and purely electrical work are not covered by that license. Ask for the license number and verify with DCWP. Confirm workers’ comp and liability insurance before signing anything. 3. Get referrals from within the community. Albanian-owned contractors tend to have strong repeat-customer bases in the community. Ask your family or the local Albanian church, mosque, or community organization for referrals, you’ll usually get better signal than online reviews alone. 4. Ask about their crew. Ask whether the firm uses its own crew or subcontractors, and whether the same people will be on your project from start to finish. 5. Read the contract carefully. Timelines, payment milestones, scope changes, and warranty terms should all be spelled out. If a contractor pushes back on written terms, that’s a red flag regardless of ethnicity.Beyond General Contracting: Related Directory Categories
- Albanian Architects
- Albanian Electricians
- Albanian Plumbers
- Albanian Marble & Granite Specialists
- Albanian Painting Contractors
- Albanian HVAC Contractors
- Browse the full ALB Connection Business Directory →
Contractor Licensing Rules Differ by State: Where to Check
There is no national contractor license. Each state, and sometimes each city or county, sets its own rules, and the words are not interchangeable. Some places issue a license, while others only require the contractor to register, and New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs is direct about what that means: registration with the state is not an endorsement or approval of the contractor. Here is how New York City and six states handle it.
| Place | What a home contractor needs | Who regulates it and where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | A Home Improvement Contractor license for work worth more than $200 on residential buildings. New home construction, plumbing and purely electrical work fall outside this license. | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Call 311 or check at nyc.gov/dcwp |
| New Jersey | Registration as a home improvement contractor under the Contractors’ Registration Act. Unregistered contractors will not be issued municipal construction permits. | NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, 800-242-5846, njconsumeraffairs.gov/hic |
| Massachusetts | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration for work on existing owner-occupied homes with one to four units. Structural jobs such as a deck or an addition also need a Construction Supervisor License (CSL). The two are not interchangeable. | Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, mass.gov: HIC Contractor Resources |
| Michigan | A Residential Builder license or a Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license for any job totaling $600 or more in labor and materials. A Maintenance and Alteration license lists the specific trades the holder may practice, such as masonry, roofing or concrete. | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Residential Builders’ Section, 517-241-9309, michigan.gov/lara |
| Connecticut | Registration with the state for all home improvement contractors, new home construction contractors and home improvement salespeople. | Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). Verify at elicense.ct.gov |
| Florida | A state contractor license. “Certified” contractors (license codes beginning with C) may work anywhere in Florida. “Registered” contractors (codes beginning with R) may work only in the local jurisdictions where they qualified. | Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board, myfloridalicense.com |
| Illinois | For any home repair or remodeling contract over $1,000, the contractor must give you the state’s “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” pamphlet before you sign, and you sign a form acknowledging you received it. | Illinois Attorney General, Consumer Protection, illinoisattorneygeneral.gov |
In Michigan, LARA adds that contractors and their salespeople must carry a pocket card showing the license, and that you should ask to see it. In Connecticut, DCP administers a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund that may help a homeowner who holds an unpaid court judgment against a registered contractor. In New York City, customers of DCWP-licensed contractors may be eligible for the Home Improvement Contractor Trust Fund, and DCWP states plainly that you are not eligible if you used an unlicensed contractor. In all three places, hiring someone who is properly licensed or registered is what keeps those safety nets available to you.
Written Contracts and Deposit Limits
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises getting at least three written estimates, considering only contractors who are licensed and insured, and never paying the full amount up front. It notes that many states limit how much a contractor can ask for as a down payment. The rules below come straight from state and city agencies:
- Massachusetts: every home improvement contract over $1,000 must be in writing, with the contractor’s registration number on the first page. A deposit required before work starts cannot exceed one-third of the total contract price, or the actual cost of special-order or custom-made materials that must be ordered in advance. Final payment cannot be demanded until the contract is completed.
- New Jersey: contracts for projects costing more than $500 must be in writing and include the contractor’s legal name, business address and registration number, start and completion dates, a description of the work and the total price. The contractor must also give you a copy of their commercial general liability insurance policy. You can cancel for any reason before midnight of the third business day after you receive a copy of the contract. The Division of Consumer Affairs tells homeowners to be wary of anyone who asks for more than a third of the total before work begins, and points out that the law prohibits contractors from demanding final payment before the job is completed.
- New York City: DCWP says your contractor must give you a signed written contract with a separate cancellation notice form, a description of the work and materials, and a payment schedule. If the deal was negotiated in a language other than English, the contract must be provided in that language too. DCWP advises limiting the first payment to no more than one-quarter of the total price and not paying in cash.
- Michigan: LARA’s advice is never to pay for the entire job in advance, to pay by check made out to the company name, to get a receipt every time, and to make scheduled payments as work progresses.
Permits, Lien Waivers and Final Payment
The FTC lists a contractor who asks you to pull the building permit yourself as a warning sign. State agencies explain why. In Massachusetts, owners who secure their own permits or deal with unregistered contractors lose access to the state’s Guaranty Fund. New Jersey warns that claiming on a permit application to be doing the work yourself, when you are in fact using a contractor, may forfeit the protections the law gives you. Michigan’s LARA describes the permit as being for your protection, because an inspector checks that the finished job meets code and the contractor is responsible for corrections. In New York City, the contractor must give you written notice of all required permits, who will obtain them and what they are expected to cost before you sign.
New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs also recommends asking for a lien waiver, which it describes as a receipt stating that workers and material suppliers will not ask you for money once you have paid the contractor. Finally, it advises that final municipal inspections be completed before you make the final payment.
Homes Built Before 1978: Ask About EPA Lead-Safe Certification
Older houses and apartment buildings carry an extra risk during renovation. The federal government banned consumer use of lead-based paint in 1978, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says homes built before that year are more likely to contain it. The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program requires contractors working in those homes to use lead-safe work practices that prevent lead exposure. Certified firms can display the EPA’s “Lead-Safe Certified Firm” logo, and the EPA offers an online search for certified firms in your area. Before work starts on an older house, ask to see the firm’s certificate and ask for the EPA’s “Renovate Right” guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Albanians big in NYC construction?
Yes. Albanian-owned contractors are a significant force in New York’s residential construction industry, particularly in masonry, general contracting, and windows-and-doors. Many accounts trace the community’s NYC construction roots to Albanians who settled in New York in the 1960s and 1970s and found work in building maintenance and the construction trades. The ALB Connection directory lists Albanian-owned construction and home improvement businesses, with the majority in the NYC metro area.
Where can I find an Albanian-owned mason?
Several firms specialize in masonry. R & L General Contractor Masonry Inc combines general contracting with in-house masonry work in the NYC metro. More masonry specialists are listed under the construction category.
Do Albanian contractors work outside of New York?
Yes. While NYC metro dominates the category, Albanian-owned contractors are active in Metro Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Florida and Texas. Use the state filters on the directory to find contractors in your area.
How do I verify an Albanian contractor’s license in NYC?
NYC contractors are licensed by the Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP). Ask any contractor for their license number and verify it on the DCWP website. This is standard practice for hiring any contractor in NYC, Albanian-owned or otherwise.
How many Albanian contractors and home services businesses are in the ALB Connection directory?
The category spans general contractors, masons, home improvement specialists, windows-and-doors manufacturers, and related trades. Browse the full list here.
How much deposit can a contractor ask for?
It depends on where you live. Massachusetts caps the deposit at one-third of the contract price, or the cost of special-order materials. New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs treats a request for more than a third as a warning sign, and NYC’s DCWP advises paying no more than one-quarter up front. The FTC’s rule everywhere: never pay in full before the work is done.
Do I need a written contract for a small home repair?
Often, yes. New Jersey requires a written contract for home improvement projects over $500 and Massachusetts for contracts over $1,000. In Illinois, contracts over $1,000 trigger a required consumer rights pamphlet. New York City requires a signed written contract for licensed home improvement work. Agencies in these states recommend a written contract for every job, whatever the size.
What is a lien waiver and should I ask for one?
New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs describes a lien waiver as a receipt stating that the workers and material suppliers will not ask you for money once you have paid the contractor. It recommends asking for one, and warns against signing any statement that makes you responsible for labor and material costs if the contractor fails to pay them.
Own an Albanian Contracting or Home Services Business? Get Listed
If you own or manage an Albanian-owned contracting company, masonry firm, home improvement business, or specialty trade (windows, doors, HVAC, plumbing, electrical) and your business isn’t yet on our directory, we’d love to feature you. Submit your business listing here | Browse all Albanian contractors & home services | Contact usFind other Albanian professionals and services
- Find Albanian lawyers
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Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam
- NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection: Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor Tips
- NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection: Home Improvement Contractor License Application Checklist
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: Hiring Home Improvement Contractors (consumer brief, revised January 2025)
- Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: Home Improvement Contract Sample Language
- Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: HIC Contractor Resources
- Michigan LARA, Bureau of Construction Codes: Helpful Information for Homeowners
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Home Improvement for Consumers
- Florida DBPR: Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Illinois Attorney General: Home Repair Fraud
- US EPA: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, Consumers
Author: Dardanë Halimi
Dardanë Halimi is a writer and communications professional with an M.A. in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication from James Madison University. Her work focuses on storytelling, digital content, higher education, and strategic communication, with experience writing for academic, nonprofit, and marketing organizations in both the United States and Kosovo.
