[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":106},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-seasonal-contract-timing":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":48,"prev":104,"next":105},{"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},"seasonal-contract-timing","How do you price a contract for work that starts months later?","Sign it now with a future start date and a materials escalation clause that adjusts the price if costs rise past a set threshold.","Sign it now with a future start date and a materials escalation clause that adjusts the price if costs rise past a set threshold. The contract still needs every MHIC-required element.",[32,33],"It's October. A homeowner wants a new deck with the contract signed now but work starting in April when weather improves.","\"Lock in the price now so it doesn't go up. I'll pay the deposit to hold my spot.\"",null,"/media/voices/seasonal_contract_timing.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"Sign the contract with an April start date. Include a materials escalation clause in case lumber prices change significantly over 6 months. Take a reasonable deposit to secure the scheduling slot","best","Correct","Contracts with future start dates are normal in construction. Including a materials escalation clause (e.g., 'if lumber costs increase more than 10%, the contract price adjusts proportionally') protects you from market volatility. The contract must still meet all MHIC requirements — start date (April), estimated completion, your MHIC number, all required notices. A deposit to hold scheduling is standard practice.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"Don't sign until April — too much can change in 6 months","partial","Missed opportunity","Refusing to commit loses you a client who's ready to sign and pay a deposit. Construction businesses survive winter by booking spring work in advance. The risk of price changes is real, but that's what escalation clauses are for. A signed contract with a future start date and material adjustment provisions protects both parties.",[],[49,52,55,58,61,64,67,70,73,76,79,82,85,88,89,92,95,98,101],{"slug":50,"title":51,"topic":24},"sarah-estimate-visit","Is a handshake deal legal for home improvement work in Maryland?",{"slug":53,"title":54,"topic":24},"sarah-contract-details","What must a Maryland home improvement contract include?",{"slug":56,"title":57,"topic":24},"required-contract-notice","Which MHIC notice must every home improvement contract include?",{"slug":59,"title":60,"topic":24},"contract-without-completion-date","What if a signed contract is missing the completion date?",{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},"arbitration-clause","Can a Maryland home improvement contract require arbitration?",{"slug":65,"title":66,"topic":24},"no-contract-consequences","What happens in a scope dispute when nothing is in writing?",{"slug":68,"title":69,"topic":24},"scope-creep-neighbor","Does a small cash side job need a written contract?",{"slug":71,"title":72,"topic":24},"realtor-pressure","Does a $2,000 job need a written home improvement contract?",{"slug":74,"title":75,"topic":24},"emergency-repair-shortcut","Can you start emergency repairs before signing a contract?",{"slug":77,"title":78,"topic":24},"estimating-challenge","Should you give a homeowner a ballpark or a written estimate?",{"slug":80,"title":81,"topic":24},"scope-of-work-unclear","How do you fix a vague scope of work before it becomes a dispute?",{"slug":83,"title":84,"topic":24},"attorney-contract-review","How should you respond when a client redlines your contract?",{"slug":86,"title":87,"topic":24},"newlyweds-contract-signing","How should a contract handle upgrades during the project?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":90,"title":91,"topic":24},"multi-year-project-planning","Should a multi-year renovation be one contract or several?",{"slug":93,"title":94,"topic":24},"contract-with-minor","Can you sign a home improvement contract with a 17-year-old?",{"slug":96,"title":97,"topic":24},"homeowner-fires-you","What happens when a homeowner fires you partway through a job?",{"slug":99,"title":100,"topic":24},"material-substitution","Can you substitute materials named in the contract?",{"slug":102,"title":103,"topic":24},"homeowner-provides-materials","How should you handle materials the homeowner supplies?",{"slug":86,"title":87,"topic":24},{"slug":90,"title":91,"topic":24},1792184484118]