Local Services in Maryland

Maryland requires all home improvement contractors to be licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC), which also administers a Home Improvement Guaranty Fund that compensates homeowners for losses from licensed contractor failures. The state's proximity to Washington, D.C. and high median income contribute to contractor rates above the national average. Maryland's strict lead paint disclosure and remediation laws — particularly for rental properties — create specialized demand for certified lead abatement contractors, and the state's Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act imposes additional building restrictions within 1,000 feet of the Bay and its tributaries.