The state department of Consumer Protection and the Office of the Attorney General identified 33 Connecticut contractors Friday charged with home improvement violations, including one in the Pawcatuck section of Stonington.

Attorney General George C. Jepsen's office convicted the contractors, which include Richard Peavey of Pawcatuck, between Jan. 4 and June 6, and ordered them to pay restitution. Peavey must pay $850, the state said in a press release. Two contractors are serving jail time and five others were placed in pretrial diversion programs.

All told, consumers should see $233,000 in restitution, the two agencies said.

"We are providing this information to remind consumers and contractors alike of our commitment to ensure that Connecticut's home improvement marketplace is fair and accountable," Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said. "Our laws are clear and provide valuable protections for both homeowners and contractors."

Jepsen urged homeowners to "do their homework" and make sure contractors are registered with Consumer Protection.

"While registration doesn't guarantee a contractor's competency, it does give consumers rights and protections that are not available if the contractor is not registered," he said.

Under Connecticut law, consumers who suffer damage as a result of dealings with a home improvement contractor may qualify for some restitution from the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which can return up to $15,000 per contract - but only if the contractor was registered with the state.

The full list of convicted contractors and summaries of the judgments are available at www.ct.gov/dcp and www.ct.gov/ag.

Consumers who have home improvement questions or concerns may contact the Department of Consumer Protection at (860) 713-6110.

p.daddona@theday.com