[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":113},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-sarah-contract-details":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":55,"prev":111,"next":112},{"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},"contracts","Home Improvement Contracts",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":35,"speakerAvatar":36,"audioUrl":37,"choices":38,"citations":53},"sarah-contract-details","What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?","At minimum: (1) your name, address, and MHIC number; (2) a description of the work and materials; (3) the total price or how it is calculated; (4) estimated…","At minimum: (1) your name, address, and MHIC number; (2) a description of the work and materials; (3) the total price or how it is calculated; (4) estimated start and completion dates; (5) notice of the consumer's right to cancel; (6) the Guaranty Fund notice and the MHIC notice required by COMAR 09.08.01.26.",[32,33],"Sarah agrees to the written contract. As you're drafting it at her kitchen table, she asks, \"What exactly needs to be in this thing?\"","You pull up a blank contract template. Which of these elements do you include?","Sarah Mitchell","A first-time homeowner who wants a kitchen renovation. Excited but nervous about hiring a contractor.","/media/characters/homeowner_sarah.png","/media/voices/sarah_contract_details.mp3",[39,44,49],{"text":40,"verdict":41,"label":42,"explanation":43},"Your name, MHIC number, work description, total price, start/completion dates, notice of consumer's right to cancel, and a statement about the Guaranty Fund","best","Correct","A complete MHIC contract must include: (1) contractor's name, address, and MHIC number; (2) description of work and materials; (3) total price or calculation method; (4) estimated start and completion dates; (5) notice of consumer's right to cancel within 3 business days for door-to-door sales; (6) notice about the MHIC Guaranty Fund. This protects both parties.",{"text":45,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":48},"Just the work description and price — keep it simple so she's not overwhelmed","wrong","Incomplete","A contract with only a description and price is missing legally required elements. The MHIC requires your license number, start/completion dates, cancellation rights notice, and Guaranty Fund notice at minimum. An incomplete contract is treated as a violation and offers you no protection in a dispute.",{"text":50,"verdict":41,"label":51,"explanation":52},"Everything you can think of — name, license, work, price, dates, warranty, change order process, payment schedule, and cancellation rights","Excellent","You've exceeded the minimum requirements. Including warranty terms, change order procedures, and a payment schedule demonstrates professionalism and prevents disputes. Under COMAR 09.08.01.26, contracts must also include the required notice about the MHIC. Going above minimum compliance is smart business.",[54],"COMAR 09.08.01.26",[56,59,60,63,66,69,72,75,78,81,84,87,90,93,96,99,102,105,108],{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"sarah-estimate-visit","Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},"required-contract-notice","Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?",{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},"contract-without-completion-date","What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?",{"slug":67,"title":68,"topic":24},"arbitration-clause","Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?",{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"no-contract-consequences","What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"scope-creep-neighbor","Does a small cash side job need a written contract?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"realtor-pressure","Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"emergency-repair-shortcut","Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?",{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},"estimating-challenge","Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?",{"slug":85,"title":86,"topic":24},"scope-of-work-unclear","How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?",{"slug":88,"title":89,"topic":24},"attorney-contract-review","How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?",{"slug":91,"title":92,"topic":24},"newlyweds-contract-signing","How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?",{"slug":94,"title":95,"topic":24},"seasonal-contract-timing","How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?",{"slug":97,"title":98,"topic":24},"multi-year-project-planning","Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?",{"slug":100,"title":101,"topic":24},"contract-with-minor","Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?",{"slug":103,"title":104,"topic":24},"homeowner-fires-you","What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?",{"slug":106,"title":107,"topic":24},"material-substitution","Can you substitute materials named in the contract?",{"slug":109,"title":110,"topic":24},"homeowner-provides-materials","How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},1792184484118]