[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":88},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-online-review-response":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":48,"prev":86,"next":87},{"name":5,"tagline":6,"title":7,"description":8,"guideTitle":9,"guideDescription":10,"ogImage":11,"disclaimer":12,"practicePitch":13,"citationsTitle":14},"Free MHIC Training","Maryland home improvement exam prep","Free MHIC Exam Prep: Maryland Home Improvement Contractor Practice","Free, narrated MHIC exam prep: 147 real Maryland contractor scenarios, every choice explained, with the law cited where it applies.","MHIC Exam Study Guide","Every scenario in the free Maryland Contractor Simulator, written out as a practice question: the situation, your options, how each choice plays out, and the Maryland law where it applies.","/og/free-mhic-training.png","Free MHIC Training is free study material for the Maryland home improvement contractor exam. It is not affiliated with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and is not legal advice.","The free Maryland Contractor Simulator puts you in situations like these across a 40-day contracting career, narrated, with your license on the line. No account needed.","Law and codes cited",{"slug":16,"title":17,"subtitle":18,"description":19,"maxTurns":20,"characterCount":21,"scenarioCount":22},"maryland-contractor-simulator","Maryland Contractor Simulator","Learn the law by living it.","You just got your MHIC license application approved and you're starting your home improvement business in Maryland. Navigate real contractor scenarios — contracts, permits, clients, subcontractors, and inspectors. Every choice teaches you the law through consequence, not memorization. Master all five exam areas to pass.",40,20,147,{"slug":24,"title":25},"advertising-sales","Advertising & Salespeople",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":34,"speakerAvatar":34,"audioUrl":35,"choices":36,"citations":47},"online-review-response","How should a contractor respond to a false online review?","With a brief, factual, professional reply: offer to resolve the concern and do not share private project details.","With a brief, factual, professional reply: offer to resolve the concern and do not share private project details. Other customers read your response, and calm professionalism builds more trust than a public argument.",[32,33],"A former client leaves a 1-star Google review: \"Terrible contractor. Overcharged us, took forever, and the work is falling apart.\" You completed their job 6 months ago — on time, within budget, and it passed all inspections.","The review is factually wrong.",null,"/media/voices/online_review_response.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"Respond professionally and factually. Mention the project was completed on time, within the contracted budget, and passed all required inspections. Invite them to discuss specific concerns. Never get personal or emotional in a public response","best","Correct","Online reviews are part of modern business. A professional, factual response to a false review actually builds credibility — other potential clients read your response and see a reasonable professional, not someone who fights on the internet. Key rules: stick to facts, don't share private details about the project, offer to resolve concerns, and keep it brief. Your documentation (completed on time, within budget, passed inspections) supports your position without needing to prove it publicly.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"Fire back with the real story — they were difficult clients who changed the scope 5 times and still complained","wrong","Unprofessional","Arguing with clients publicly makes you look bad regardless of who's right. Other potential clients don't want to hire a contractor who might blast their personal business on Google if things don't go perfectly. Vent to your friends, respond professionally online. Also consider: disclosing project details may violate confidentiality expectations. Take the high road — it's better for business.",[],[49,52,55,58,61,64,67,70,73,76,77,80,83],{"slug":50,"title":51,"topic":24},"first-client-call","Do you have to give homeowners your MHIC license number?",{"slug":53,"title":54,"topic":24},"advertising-mistake","What must Maryland home improvement advertising include?",{"slug":56,"title":57,"topic":24},"vehicle-display","Does your MHIC number have to be on your work truck?",{"slug":59,"title":60,"topic":24},"business-name-on-everything","Where must your MHIC license number appear?",{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},"social-media-advertising","Does a contractor's Facebook page need the MHIC number?",{"slug":65,"title":66,"topic":24},"salesperson-license-check","Does a home improvement salesperson need an MHIC license?",{"slug":68,"title":69,"topic":24},"brenda-training","Are you responsible for your salesperson's violations?",{"slug":71,"title":72,"topic":24},"salesperson-representation","Are you bound by a warranty your salesperson promised?",{"slug":74,"title":75,"topic":24},"competitor-badmouthing","How do you answer a competitor's false claims about your license?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":78,"title":79,"topic":24},"shady-competitor-steals-client","How do you compete with a far lower bid from a questionable contractor?",{"slug":81,"title":82,"topic":24},"multiple-bids-ethics","Should you use a competitor's bid to undercut them?",{"slug":84,"title":85,"topic":24},"green-building-upsell","When is suggesting upgrades good practice and not an upsell?",{"slug":74,"title":75,"topic":24},{"slug":78,"title":79,"topic":24},1792184484119]