In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. “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. “Contractor license” means a license issued by the Commission to act as a contractor. “Fund” means the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. “Hearing board” means a home improvement hearing board appointed by the Commission under § 8-313 of this title. “Home improvement” means: 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 an improvement to land adjacent to the building. “Home improvement” includes: 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; a shore erosion control project, as defined under § 8–1001 of the Natural Resources Article, for a residential property; connection, installation, or replacement, in the building or structure, of a dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker to existing exposed household plumbing lines; installation, in the building or structure, of an awning, fire alarm, or storm window; and work done on individual condominium units. “Home improvement” does not include: construction of a new home; work done to comply with a guarantee of completion for a new building project; connection, installation, or replacement of an appliance to existing exposed plumbing lines that requires alteration of the plumbing lines; 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; work done on apartment buildings that contain four or more single–family units; or work done on the commonly owned areas of condominiums. “Home improvement contract” means an oral or written agreement between a contractor and owner for the contractor to perform a home improvement. “License” means, except where it refers to a license other than one issued under this title, a license issued by the Commission. “License” includes: a contractor license; and a salesperson license. “Licensed contractor” means a person who is licensed by the Commission to act as a contractor. “Owner” includes a homeowner, tenant, or other person who buys, contracts for, orders, or is entitled to a home improvement. “Salesperson” means a person who sells a home improvement. “Salesperson license” means a license issued by the Commission to sell a home improvement. “Sell a home improvement” means: to negotiate or offer to negotiate a home improvement contract with an owner; or to seek to get a home improvement contract from an owner. “Subcontractor” means a person, other than a laborer or supplier of materials, who makes an oral or written agreement with: a contractor to perform all or part of a home improvement contract; or another subcontractor to perform all or part of a subcontract to a home improvement contract.

This title does not apply to a transaction of: the United States or an instrumentality of the United States; or a state or an instrumentality or political subdivision of a state. A county or municipal corporation of the State may not: require a person to get authorization to do business performing or selling a home improvement; or regulate the qualifications necessary to do that business. This title does not limit the power of a county or municipal corporation: to regulate the character, performance, or quality of a home improvement by having a system of inspections and permits designed to: ensure compliance with and help to enforce applicable State and local building laws; or enforce other laws necessary to protect the public health and safety; or to adopt a system of inspections and permits that requires: submission to and approval by the county or municipal corporation of plans and specifications for an installation, before construction of the installation begins; and inspection of work done.