Maryland Contractor License Search

Who Is a Contractor in Maryland?

Contractors are individuals and businesses that offer services based on a written or oral agreement. To work in Maryland, contractors must obtain a license from the state's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). General contractors may have to apply for a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. Contractors in Maryland are normally divided into two categories:

General Contractors: construction and home or property renovation projects are planned and supervised by general contractors. These contractors serve as the primary point of contact for the project owner and coordinate the efforts of specialty contractors working on these projects. In Maryland, general contractors dealing with home improvement work will need to meet the licensing requirements of the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC).
Specialty Contractors: plumbing, electrical, HVAC (heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning), painting, masonry, and roofing are just a few of the specialized tasks these professionals can handle. Usually, a general contractor will choose specialty contractors to complete a particular task or provide a certain service associated with the construction project. However, on jobs involving one project, you can directly collaborate with a specialty contractor. The DLLR in Maryland regulates specialty contractors.

How to Search for a Contractor's License in Maryland

You can check a potential Maryland contractor's profile to see if they currently hold a license using the Uhire professional licensing search, which offers a thorough search option for all types of contractors. Alternatively, you can search for state-licensed contractors using the Maryland Department of Labor Home Improvement Public Query platform.

Penalty for Hiring a Contractor Without a License in Maryland

The criminal penalties for failing to comply with Maryland's license requirements can be severe; a violator may be charged with a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, face a fine of up to $1,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to six months.

Although it is not illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor, doing so has a number of disadvantages, including the following:

Contractors cannot get the necessary authorization from neighborhood building authorities without a license. Executing projects without the proper approval might lead to financial penalties and a decrease in the value of your home.
These contractors most likely don't carry bonds or insurance. This means that you will be responsible for any accidents or property damage that might happen throughout the project.
Hiring uneducated and inexperienced contractors increases the likelihood of receiving subpar work.

How Much Does a Contractor Charge in Maryland?

The difficulty and labor requirements of the projects for which specialty contractors are hired typically affect their pricing. That being said, specialty contractors often charge between $50 and $200 per hour.

The most common specialty contractors in Maryland are listed in the table below, along with their typical hourly rates; however, consider that actual charges may vary depending on your region and the reputation of the contractor in your area:

Electricians

$83 - $100

Plumbers

$70 - $80

HVACR Technicians

$50 - $150

Carpenters

$35 - $70

Painters

$35 - $75

Roofers

$55 - $100

Flooring Contractors

$40 - $80

Masons

$45 - $60

Landscapers

$50 - $95

Architects

$75 - $200

Interior Designers

$65 - $185

Excavation Contractors

$110 - $230

Concrete Contractors

$60 - $110

Handymen

$50 - $65

Appliance Repair Technicians

$60 - $90

Exterminators

$40 - $95

Cleaning Services

$50 - $100

Movers

$45 - $150

More than one specialty contractor is often needed for a residential or commercial project. Thus, it makes sense to engage a general contractor to oversee the entire project to save time, money, and the burden of coordinating several subcontractors. It's important to remember that the project's total cost frequently determines the general contractor's fees. This amount, which accounts for 10% to 20% of the project's total cost, is often determined using one of the techniques listed below:

Fixed Price Method: in this case, the contractor agrees to complete the work in exchange for a specific sum. This method works best for projects with a defined scope and finish date.
Cost Plus Fee Method: in this case, the contractor adds a markup to all services provided in addition to the actual work completed on the project. When managing significant projects with undefined deadlines, this method is preferred. Nevertheless, to prevent costs from increasing sharply, it is wise to insist on a set maximum price.

In Maryland, you should pay between $130 and $250 per square foot for construction and home remodeling projects. The following elements may have an impact on final costs:

Labor, permits, and additional fees
The cost of hiring contractors to provide necessary services
The project site conditions
The cost of essential supplies and their availability
The project's nature and scope
The position and credentials of employed contractors

Tips for Hiring a Contractor in Maryland

It is essential to ensure that the contractors you select are qualified to fulfill their assigned tasks given the amount of money that is normally involved in the design, improvement, installation, maintenance, and repair of a home and its fixtures. Understanding the project's scope and identifying the kinds of contractors required are the initial steps in doing this. Consequently, before hiring any contractors in Maryland, you should consider the following tips:

Except in cases where there are no state licenses, you should always hire a state-licensed contractor. You can check the status of your contractor's license online.
Request and compare up to three contractor estimates for your projects.
Request and check the references of each bidder.
Before starting any work, insist on getting a signed contract stating all the project requirements and responsibilities. Before reaching an agreement, ensure you have read and understood the deal.
Verify the insurance and bonding of the contractor and any relevant subcontractors.
Never pay the total cost of a project upfront, and never pay more than $1,000 (or 10% of the total project cost) in advance for home remodeling jobs.
Before making the final payment, ensure the work has been done to your satisfaction.
Avoid paying with cash.
Keep copies of any documents pertaining to the project, including contracts, warranties, and invoices.

Is Your Contractor Insured and Bonded as Required by Maryland Statutes?

For home repair projects in Maryland, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission typically requires general liability insurance of $50,000 and surety bonds of at least $30,000. Additionally, Maryland contractors who have employees must obtain workers' compensation insurance from any licensed insurance company.

To safeguard yourself financially and legally from unanticipated events like bodily harm, unexpected property damage, and contractor errors that may arise during your project, you should ask whether your potential contractors are appropriately insured and bonded.

Keep in mind the various protections provided by bonds and insurance. Both the project owner and the contractor are typically insured, shielding the former from having to pay out-of-pocket expenses associated with accidents and injuries. Bonds serve primarily to shield project owners from liability for any damage caused by the contractor's failure to complete the work as agreed.

Always request proof of a contractor's insurance and bonding before hiring them. Ensure that their general liability insurance covers the scope of your project. You can do this by asking for a copy of their insurance and bond certificates and checking them by contacting the issuers. Contact the Maryland Insurance Administration at (800) 492-6116 for more information on contractors' insurance.

Top Contractor Scams in Maryland

Contractor scams are not unheard of in Maryland. Around 1 out of every 10,000 homeowners fall victim to these scams every year. While that may fall below the national average, it is important to prevent falling victim to any contractor scam. Knowing how these fraudulent contractors operate is one of the best ways to avoid them.

Shady contractors routinely employ the following methods to scam Maryland homeowners:

Going door-to-door offering discounted work
Delivering free home inspections and "discovering" issues that need to be handled immediately
Reducing the importance of formal contracts
Providing contracts with vague language or holes that can be filled in later
Increasing the project's needs and expenses
Pressing on cash and demanding full or sizable advance payments,
Forcing homeowners into signing up for services or spending excessive amounts of money on them without assessing their relevance to the project

To prevent these scams, take the following steps before hiring contractors:

Always check on prospective contractors thoroughly. Ask for contracts, read them carefully before you sign, and contact references to determine if the contractors are legally insured and bonded. You might also look up their reputation online.
Always work with licensed contractors.
Avoid hiring unsolicited contractors or accepting remodeling quotes you didn't ask for.
Avoid paying with cash.
Do not spend more than $1,000 (or 10% of the overall project cost) as a down payment.
Never put your signature on anything you do not fully comprehend.
Obtain and compare price quotations from several contractors for your project.
You should ask your general contractor and any associated subcontractors to release any liens.