Free MHIC Training

Does a small cash side job need a written contract?

Short answer. Yes. Maryland home improvement law has no exemption or dollar threshold for small jobs, so even a cash fence repair for a neighbor needs a written contract with your MHIC number.

  • Business Regulation §8-101

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

While working on Sarah's house, her neighbor walks over. "Hey, while you're here, can you fix my fence? It'll take you an hour. I'll pay cash — $300."

Quick easy money. No paperwork needed for something this small, right?

  1. Correct

    There is no exemption for 'small jobs' under Maryland home improvement law. Any home improvement work requires a written contract with your MHIC number. Performing work for cash without a contract is a violation regardless of the dollar amount. The neighbor might be perfectly nice — until the fence falls over and they have no contract, no warranty, and no recourse except an MHIC complaint.

  2. Wrong

    Fence repair IS home improvement under Maryland Business Regulation §8-101. There is no dollar threshold below which the law doesn't apply. Working without a contract, taking cash off the books, and not documenting the job creates multiple violations. If the neighbor is injured on their property during the work, you're also operating without proper documentation of the job scope and liability.

All 19 home improvement contracts questions

  1. Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?
  2. What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?
  3. Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?
  4. What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?
  5. Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?
  6. What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?
  7. Does a small cash side job need a written contract?
  8. Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?
  9. Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?
  10. Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?
  11. How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?
  12. How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?
  13. How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?
  14. How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?
  15. Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?
  16. Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?
  17. What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?
  18. Can you substitute materials named in the contract?
  19. How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?