Common Terminology

Contractor

A person, other than an employee of a property owner, who performs, offers or agrees to perform a home improvement for a property owner.

Contractor's License

A license issued by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission to act as a contractor. A contractor's license is not required for an architect, electrician, plumber, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning or refrigeration contractor who currently is licensed in that occupation or profession under state or local law.

Home Improvement

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:

  • A shore erosion control project, as defined under § 8–1001 of the Natural Resources Article, for a residential property.
  • Construction, improvement or replacement on land adjacent to a building, driveway, fall-out shelter, fence, garage, landscaping, deck, pier, porch or swimming pool.
  • Installation, in a building or structure, of an awning, fire alarm or storm window.
  • The connection, installation or replacement, in the building or structure, of a dishwasher, disposal or refrigerator with an ice maker to existing exposed household plumbing lines.
  • Work done on individual condominium units.

 Home Improvement does not include:

  • Construction of a new home.
  • 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.
  • The connection, installation or replacement of an appliance to existing exposed plumbing lines that requires alteration of the plumbing lines.
  • Work done on apartment buildings that contain four or more single-family units.
  • Work done on the commonly owned areas of condominiums.
  • Work done to comply with a guarantee of completion for a new building project.