[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":112},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-sarah-estimate-visit":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":54,"prev":110,"next":111},{"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":52},"sarah-estimate-visit","Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?","No. Maryland Business Regulation §8-501 requires a written contract for all home improvement work, and a handshake or a text message does not satisfy it.","No. Maryland Business Regulation §8-501 requires a written contract for all home improvement work, and a handshake or a text message does not satisfy it. Skipping the contract is a violation that can cost you your license.",[32,33],"You arrive at Sarah's home for the kitchen renovation estimate. After measuring and discussing her vision, she asks you to start work next week.","\"Can we just shake on it? I trust you. Writing up a whole contract seems like overkill for a kitchen.\"","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_estimate_visit.mp3",[39,44,49],{"text":40,"verdict":41,"label":42,"explanation":43},"Explain that Maryland law requires a written contract for home improvement work, and walk her through what it must include","best","Correct","Maryland Business Regulation §8-501 requires a written contract for all home improvement work. The contract must include: your name, address, and MHIC number; a description of work; total price or method of calculating price; estimated start and completion dates; and the consumer's right to cancel. Skipping the contract is a violation that can result in license suspension.",{"text":45,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":48},"Agree to the handshake deal — she seems trustworthy and you don't want to lose the job","wrong","Wrong","Operating without a written contract is a serious violation of Maryland Business Regulation §8-501. Even if the client suggests it, YOU are responsible for ensuring a proper contract exists. If a dispute arises later, you have zero legal protection and the MHIC will side with the homeowner.",{"text":50,"verdict":46,"label":47,"explanation":51},"Send her a quick text message summarizing the work and price — that counts as written, right?","A text message does not satisfy the written contract requirements under Maryland law. The contract must contain specific elements including MHIC license number, description of work, total price, start/completion dates, notice of cancellation rights, and both parties' signatures. A proper contract protects both you and the homeowner.",[53],"Business Regulation §8-501",[55,56,59,62,65,68,71,74,77,80,83,86,89,92,95,98,101,104,107],{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"sarah-contract-details","What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},"required-contract-notice","Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?",{"slug":63,"title":64,"topic":24},"contract-without-completion-date","What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?",{"slug":66,"title":67,"topic":24},"arbitration-clause","Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?",{"slug":69,"title":70,"topic":24},"no-contract-consequences","What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?",{"slug":72,"title":73,"topic":24},"scope-creep-neighbor","Does a small cash side job need a written contract?",{"slug":75,"title":76,"topic":24},"realtor-pressure","Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?",{"slug":78,"title":79,"topic":24},"emergency-repair-shortcut","Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?",{"slug":81,"title":82,"topic":24},"estimating-challenge","Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?",{"slug":84,"title":85,"topic":24},"scope-of-work-unclear","How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?",{"slug":87,"title":88,"topic":24},"attorney-contract-review","How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?",{"slug":90,"title":91,"topic":24},"newlyweds-contract-signing","How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?",{"slug":93,"title":94,"topic":24},"seasonal-contract-timing","How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?",{"slug":96,"title":97,"topic":24},"multi-year-project-planning","Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?",{"slug":99,"title":100,"topic":24},"contract-with-minor","Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?",{"slug":102,"title":103,"topic":24},"homeowner-fires-you","What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?",{"slug":105,"title":106,"topic":24},"material-substitution","Can you substitute materials named in the contract?",{"slug":108,"title":109,"topic":24},"homeowner-provides-materials","How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?",null,{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},1792184484117]