A home improvement contract that does not comply with this section is not invalid merely because of noncompliance. Each home improvement contract shall: be in writing and legible; describe clearly each document that it incorporates; and be signed by each party to the home improvement contract. In addition to any other matters on which the parties lawfully agree, each home improvement contract shall contain: the name, address, telephone number, and license number of the contractor; the name and license number of each salesperson who solicited the home improvement contract or sold the home improvement; the approximate dates when the performance of the home improvement will begin and when it will be substantially completed; a description of the home improvement to be performed and the materials to be used; the agreed consideration; the number of monthly payments and the amount of each payment, including any finance charge; a description of any collateral security for the obligation of the owner under the home improvement contract; a notice that gives the telephone number and Web site of the Commission and states that: each contractor must be licensed by the Commission; and anyone may ask the Commission about a contractor; and a notice set by the Commission by regulation that: specifies the protections available to consumers through the Commission; and advises the consumer of the right to purchase a performance bond for additional protection against loss. If payment for work performed under the home improvement contract will be secured by an interest in residential real estate, a written notice in not smaller than 10 point bold type that is on the first page of the contract shall state in substantially the following form: “This contract creates a mortgage or lien against your property to secure payment and may cause a loss of your property if you fail to pay the amount agreed upon. You have the right to consult an attorney. You have the right to rescind this contract within 3 business days after the date you sign it by notifying the contractor in writing that you are rescinding the contract.” The notice under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be independently initialed by the homeowner. Before the performance of a home improvement begins, the owner shall be given a copy of the home improvement contract signed by the contractor. A salesperson or other agent or employee of a contractor may not make a change in a home improvement contract for an owner. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a home improvement contract for the installation of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building shall include the installation of a barrier that meets industry standards to prevent wildlife intrusion and damage to the solar energy generating system or the underlying roof. A home improvement contract for the installation of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building is not required to include the installation of a barrier as specified under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the customer has waived the installation of the barrier after being informed of the cost of the barrier and the risks of not installing a wildlife barrier.

A salesperson may not: represent concurrently more than 1 contractor in selling a home improvement; use a home improvement contract form that does not disclose the name of the contractor; or choose a contractor for an owner. For selling a home improvement, a salesperson shall: accept compensation only from the contractor that the salesperson represents in the sale; and pay compensation only for that contractor.

As an inducement to make a home improvement contract, a person may not promise or offer to pay to an owner any compensation or reward for obtaining or placing home improvement business with others. A contractor or salesperson may not offer, give, or pay to an owner a gift, bonus award, merchandise, trading stamps, or cash loan as an inducement to make a home improvement contract. To advertise or to promote sales, a contractor or salesperson may give to a prospective customer a tangible item if: the cost to the contractor or salesperson does not exceed $25; the gift is not contingent on making a home improvement contract; and the customer does not receive more than 1 item for 1 transaction.

Except for a permit for a home improvement to be performed by a property owner, the building and permits department of a county or a municipal corporation may not issue a permit for a home improvement unless the permit includes the license number of a licensed contractor.

In this section, “building code” includes a code that deals with mechanical, electrical, fire, plumbing, energy, heating, ventilation, or air conditioning matters. A county or municipal corporation shall notify the Commission of each contractor who fails to correct a violation of the applicable local or State building code within a reasonable time after the contractor receives notice of the violation.

In this section, “critical area” has the meaning designated under § 8–1802 of the Natural Resources Article. The Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, as established under Title 8, Subtitle 18 of the Natural Resources Article, shall notify the Commission of any contractor who, in the critical area, fails to comply with: the terms of a State or local permit, license, or approval issued for home improvement; or any State or local law, approved plan, or other legal requirement.