[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":85},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-newlyweds-budget-panic":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":51,"prev":83,"next":84},{"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},"payments-change-orders","Deposits, Payments & Change Orders",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":35,"speakerDescription":36,"speakerAvatar":37,"audioUrl":38,"choices":39,"citations":50},"newlyweds-budget-panic","How do you handle a client whose vision is bigger than the budget?","Be honest upfront. Give a detailed estimate of what the budget covers and what it does not, offer a phased plan, and write the actual scope at the actual…","Be honest upfront. Give a detailed estimate of what the budget covers and what it does not, offer a phased plan, and write the actual scope at the actual budget into the contract. Overpromising is a leading cause of MHIC complaints.",[32,33,34],"Kyle and Maria just closed on their fixer-upper. They're excited and overwhelmed. Maria has a Pinterest board with 200 pins. Kyle just wants a functional bathroom.","Their budget: $15,000 for a bathroom and half-bath renovation. Maria's Pinterest vision: $40,000 minimum.","\"Can you make it look like THIS?\" Maria shows you her phone. Kyle is already sweating.","Kyle & Maria Reeves","Young couple who just bought their first fixer-upper. Overwhelmed, over-budget, and making emotional decisions. Maria researches everything online. Kyle just wants it done.","/media/characters/newlyweds.png","/media/voices/newlyweds_budget_panic.mp3",[40,45],{"text":41,"verdict":42,"label":43,"explanation":44},"Be honest about the gap between the Pinterest vision and the budget. Show them what $15,000 can realistically accomplish, and offer a phased approach — essentials now, upgrades later as budget allows","best","Correct","Managing expectations upfront prevents disputes later. A detailed estimate showing what $15,000 covers (and what it doesn't) builds trust. A phased approach lets Maria work toward her vision without Kyle having a heart attack. Most importantly: the written contract will reflect the ACTUAL scope at the ACTUAL budget, preventing 'but I thought we were getting...' arguments.",{"text":46,"verdict":47,"label":48,"explanation":49},"Promise you'll get close to the Pinterest vision within their budget — you'll find deals on materials","wrong","Overpromising","$15,000 cannot produce a $40,000 bathroom. Promising it can sets you up for failure and the client for disappointment. When the finished bathroom doesn't match Maria's Pinterest board, the emotional response won't be 'well, we only paid $15K.' It'll be 'you SAID you could do this.' Overpromising is one of the most common causes of MHIC complaints. Be honest upfront.",[],[52,55,58,61,64,67,70,73,76,79,82],{"slug":53,"title":54,"topic":24},"deposit-too-large","How large a deposit can a Maryland contractor take?",{"slug":56,"title":57,"topic":24},"payment-schedule-dispute","Can you accept full payment up front for a home improvement job?",{"slug":59,"title":60,"topic":24},"deposit-refund-demand","Must you refund a deposit if the homeowner cancels before work starts?",{"slug":62,"title":63,"topic":24},"chase-sarah-payment","How do you collect an overdue progress payment?",{"slug":65,"title":66,"topic":24},"final-payment-holdback","Can a homeowner hold back part of the final payment?",{"slug":68,"title":69,"topic":24},"payment-by-credit-card","Who pays the fee when a homeowner pays by credit card?",{"slug":71,"title":72,"topic":24},"change-order-dispute","Does added work need a written change order?",{"slug":74,"title":75,"topic":24},"change-order-blowup","Can you collect for extra work that was never put in writing?",{"slug":77,"title":78,"topic":24},"rain-delay-dispute","How do you handle a weather delay past the contract completion date?",{"slug":80,"title":81,"topic":24},"insurance-adjuster-dispute","What if the insurance payout is lower than your estimate?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":80,"title":81,"topic":24},null,1792184484118]