2023 Maryland Statutes
Business Regulation
Title 8 - Home Improvement
Subtitle 1 - Definitions; General Provisions
Section 8-101 - Definitions

Universal Citation:
MD. Business Regulation Code § 8-101 (2023)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.

    (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 § 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 § 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.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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