[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":107},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-scope-creep-neighbor":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":49,"prev":105,"next":106},{"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":34,"speakerAvatar":34,"audioUrl":35,"choices":36,"citations":47},"scope-creep-neighbor","Does a small cash side job need a written contract?","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…","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.",[32,33],"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?",null,"/media/voices/scope_creep_neighbor.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"Politely decline or tell the neighbor you'd be happy to schedule it properly — with a written contract, your MHIC number, and through your business","best","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.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"Do it quick for cash — it's just a fence repair, not a real home improvement project","wrong","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.",[48],"Business Regulation §8-101",[50,53,56,59,62,65,68,69,72,75,78,81,84,87,90,93,96,99,102],{"slug":51,"title":52,"topic":24},"sarah-estimate-visit","Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?",{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},"sarah-contract-details","What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"required-contract-notice","Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?",{"slug":60,"title":61,"topic":24},"contract-without-completion-date","What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?",{"slug":63,"title":64,"topic":24},"arbitration-clause","Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?",{"slug":66,"title":67,"topic":24},"no-contract-consequences","What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"realtor-pressure","Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"emergency-repair-shortcut","Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"estimating-challenge","Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"scope-of-work-unclear","How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?",{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},"attorney-contract-review","How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?",{"slug":85,"title":86,"topic":24},"newlyweds-contract-signing","How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?",{"slug":88,"title":89,"topic":24},"seasonal-contract-timing","How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?",{"slug":91,"title":92,"topic":24},"multi-year-project-planning","Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?",{"slug":94,"title":95,"topic":24},"contract-with-minor","Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?",{"slug":97,"title":98,"topic":24},"homeowner-fires-you","What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?",{"slug":100,"title":101,"topic":24},"material-substitution","Can you substitute materials named in the contract?",{"slug":103,"title":104,"topic":24},"homeowner-provides-materials","How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?",{"slug":66,"title":67,"topic":24},{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},1792184484118]