# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 8. Home Improvement

### Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions

#### Section 8-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Commission" means the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.

(c) "Contractor" means a person, other than an employee of an owner, who performs or offers or agrees to perform a home improvement for an owner.

(d) "Contractor license" means a license issued by the Commission to act as a contractor.

(e) "Fund" means the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund.

(f) "Hearing board" means a home improvement hearing board appointed by the Commission under Sec. 8-313 of this title.

(g)

  (1) "Home improvement" means:

    (i) the addition to or alteration, conversion, improvement, modernization, remodeling, repair, or replacement of a building or part of a building that is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place or a structure adjacent to that building; or

    (ii) an improvement to land adjacent to the building.

  (2) "Home improvement" includes:

    (i) construction, improvement, or replacement, on land adjacent to the building, of a driveway, fall-out shelter, fence, garage, landscaping, deck, pier, porch, or swimming pool;

    (ii) a shore erosion control project, as defined under Sec. 8-1001 of the Natural Resources Article, for a residential property;

    (iii) connection, installation, or replacement, in the building or structure, of a dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker to existing exposed household plumbing lines;

    (iv) installation, in the building or structure, of an awning, fire alarm, or storm window; and

    (v) work done on individual condominium units.

  (3) "Home improvement" does not include:

    (i) construction of a new home;

    (ii) work done to comply with a guarantee of completion for a new building project;

    (iii) connection, installation, or replacement of an appliance to existing exposed plumbing lines that requires alteration of the plumbing lines;

    (iv) sale of materials, if the seller does not arrange to perform or does not perform directly or indirectly any work in connection with the installation or application of the materials;

    (v) work done on apartment buildings that contain four or more single-family units; or

    (vi) work done on the commonly owned areas of condominiums.

(h) "Home improvement contract" means an oral or written agreement between a contractor and owner for the contractor to perform a home improvement.

(i)

  (1) "License" means, except where it refers to a license other than one issued under this title, a license issued by the Commission.

  (2) "License" includes:

    (i) a contractor license; and

    (ii) a salesperson license.

(j) "Licensed contractor" means a person who is licensed by the Commission to act as a contractor.

(k) "Owner" includes a homeowner, tenant, or other person who buys, contracts for, orders, or is entitled to a home improvement.

(l) "Salesperson" means a person who sells a home improvement.

(m) "Salesperson license" means a license issued by the Commission to sell a home improvement.

(n) "Sell a home improvement" means:

  (1) to negotiate or offer to negotiate a home improvement contract with an owner; or

  (2) to seek to get a home improvement contract from an owner.

(o) "Subcontractor" means a person, other than a laborer or supplier of materials, who makes an oral or written agreement with:

  (1) a contractor to perform all or part of a home improvement contract; or

  (2) another subcontractor to perform all or part of a subcontract to a home improvement contract.

#### Section 8-102

(a) This title does not apply to a transaction of:

  (1) the United States or an instrumentality of the United States; or

  (2) a state or an instrumentality or political subdivision of a state.

(b) A county or municipal corporation of the State may not:

  (1) require a person to get authorization to do business performing or selling a home improvement; or

  (2) regulate the qualifications necessary to do that business.

(c) This title does not limit the power of a county or municipal corporation:

  (1) to regulate the character, performance, or quality of a home improvement by having a system of inspections and permits designed to:

    (i) ensure compliance with and help to enforce applicable State and local building laws; or

    (ii) enforce other laws necessary to protect the public health and safety; or

  (2) to adopt a system of inspections and permits that requires:

    (i) submission to and approval by the county or municipal corporation of plans and specifications for an installation, before construction of the installation begins; and

    (ii) inspection of work done.

#### Section 8-103

The provisions of this title may not be waived.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)