Home Improvement

Use this ink to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission’s Public Query page and look up the license status of any person you are considering for hire. The Home Improvement Commission can also be reached by calling 1-888-218-5925 (toll-free) or 410-230-6231 (Baltimore area). If you are unsure about which types of improvements require a Home Improvement Contractor’s License, please refer to the list posted on the website.

Searchable licensing information is maintained for other industries involving work inside the home, as well. Electricians, plumbers, home inspectors and other occupational professions are regulated by the State. Please take a moment to refer to each regulatory website before contracting anyone.

Are you thinking of making some big improvements to your home?  Here are top ten tips on hiring a contractor.

Ten Tips on Hiring a Contractor

1. Check qualifications. Make sure your contractor meets Maryland’s licensing and bonding requirements.  Verify that the contractor you are going to hire has a valid license.  Look for contractors who routinely perform the same work.
2. How many jobs is the contractor working on?  Compare the number of jobs done last year with the number underway currently. If there is a big jump, be cautious.  A contractor who has grown slowly probably has an experienced team.
3. Is the lead carpenter an employee or a subcontractor? Contractors who employ their lead carpenters tend to have more stability and better supervision of other subcontractors.
4. Check contractors for financial stability.
5. Check referrals, especially for the same type of work you will contract for.  For major projects, ask to see the work done.
6. Make sure the contractor will issue a performance bond in case the job is not completed.
7. Make sure you get certificates of insurance from the contractor and all subcontractors involved in the job.
8. Most general contractors will issue a warranty for labor and materials—ask for it.
9. Make sure you have a written contract which includes complete plans and specifications, start and stop dates of the work and any exclusions, the full scope of work, hours of the work, specifics of change orders to the work, insurance requirements, price of the work and the payment schedule, release of liens, clean up of the premises, who is responsible for permits and inspections, and terms of cancelling the contract.