[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":107},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-scope-of-work-unclear":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":35,"speakerDescription":35,"speakerAvatar":35,"audioUrl":36,"choices":37,"citations":48},"scope-of-work-unclear","How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?","Stop and write a detailed scope addendum before demolition: fixtures and models, tile and square footage, the tub, vanity and countertop, lighting and…","Stop and write a detailed scope addendum before demolition: fixtures and models, tile and square footage, the tub, vanity and countertop, lighting and electrical, paint colors, and anything not included. Both parties sign it.",[32,33,34],"A homeowner's contract says 'renovate master bathroom.' No specifics on: which fixtures, what tile, whether the tub stays or gets replaced, cabinet style, lighting fixtures.","You quoted $18,000 based on your assumptions. The homeowner assumed high-end everything.","The job is about to start and you're not on the same page.",null,"/media/voices/scope_of_work_unclear.mp3",[38,43],{"text":39,"verdict":40,"label":41,"explanation":42},"Stop before starting. Sit down with the homeowner, create a detailed scope addendum listing every material, fixture, and finish selection. Both parties sign before any demolition begins","best","Correct","A vague scope is a dispute waiting to happen. 'Renovate master bathroom' at $18K could mean anything from basic updates to a luxury remodel. Before swinging a hammer, nail down: (1) fixture brands/models, (2) tile selection with square footage, (3) tub — keep, replace, or convert to walk-in shower, (4) vanity style and countertop material, (5) lighting and electrical, (6) paint colors, (7) anything NOT included. Both signatures on the detailed scope prevent 'but I thought...' disputes.",{"text":44,"verdict":45,"label":46,"explanation":47},"Start demolition and sort out selections as you go — that's how renovation works","wrong","Terrible practice","Once the old bathroom is demolished, the homeowner is captive. They can't use the bathroom until you finish, which gives you leverage but destroys trust. Every selection made on the fly risks: 'that's not what I wanted,' 'I thought that was included,' and 'this costs MORE?' Selecting fixtures and materials BEFORE demolition gives everyone clarity and prevents mid-project disputes.",[],[50,53,56,59,62,65,68,71,74,77,80,81,84,87,90,93,96,99,102],{"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":69,"title":70,"topic":24},"scope-creep-neighbor","Does a small cash side job need a written contract?",{"slug":72,"title":73,"topic":24},"realtor-pressure","Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?",{"slug":75,"title":76,"topic":24},"emergency-repair-shortcut","Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?",{"slug":78,"title":79,"topic":24},"estimating-challenge","Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"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":78,"title":79,"topic":24},{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},1792184484118]