[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":92},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-client-wants-to-pay-sub-directly":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":49,"prev":90,"next":91},{"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},"subcontractors-employees","Subcontractors, Liens & Workers",{"slug":27,"title":28,"description":29,"takeaway":30,"situation":31,"speaker":34,"speakerDescription":34,"speakerAvatar":34,"audioUrl":35,"choices":36,"citations":47},"client-wants-to-pay-sub-directly","Should a homeowner pay your subcontractor directly?","No. Your contract covers all the work, and under COMAR 09.08.01.08 you remain responsible for it as prime contractor.","No. Your contract covers all the work, and under COMAR 09.08.01.08 you remain responsible for it as prime contractor. Direct payment costs you control of the sub and blurs warranty responsibility while you keep all the liability.",[32,33],"The homeowner offers to pay your plumber directly to 'save on markup.'","\"Why should I pay you to pay her? Just let me write the check directly to the plumber.\"",null,"/media/voices/client_wants_to_pay_sub_directly.mp3",[37,42],{"text":38,"verdict":39,"label":40,"explanation":41},"Decline. Your contract is with the homeowner for the complete project. You hire, manage, and pay subcontractors. Direct payment creates liability gaps — if something goes wrong with the plumbing, who's responsible?","best","Correct","The prime contractor model exists for a reason. Your contract with the homeowner covers all work, including subcontractors. If the homeowner pays the plumber directly: (1) you lose control of the subcontractor relationship; (2) warranty responsibility becomes unclear; (3) if the plumber does defective work, the homeowner may blame you anyway; (4) COMAR 09.08.01.08 places all duties on the prime contractor. Your markup covers project management, coordination, warranty, and liability. It's earned.",{"text":43,"verdict":44,"label":45,"explanation":46},"Sure — less cash flowing through your books means less hassle","wrong","Risky","When the homeowner pays the plumber directly, your control over the project diminishes. If the plumber's work is defective, does the homeowner sue you or the plumber? If the plumber doesn't finish, whose problem is it? Under COMAR 09.08.01.08, you're still the prime contractor responsible for all work. But now you can't withhold payment to enforce quality because you're not the one paying. You've given up leverage while keeping all the liability.",[48],"COMAR 09.08.01.08",[50,53,56,59,60,63,66,69,72,75,78,81,84,87],{"slug":51,"title":52,"topic":24},"subcontractor-payment","Must you pay subcontractors when the homeowner pays late?",{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},"tony-files-lien","What happens when an unpaid subcontractor files a mechanics lien?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},"lien-rights-education","Can a subcontractor put a lien on a house the owner paid in full?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},"mike-unlicensed-electrical","What if your electrician's license expired mid-job?",{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},"subcontractor-not-licensed","Can you hire a plumber who is still getting licensed?",{"slug":67,"title":68,"topic":24},"homeowner-does-own-electrical","Can a homeowner do their own electrical work on your job?",{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"multiple-subs-coordination","Who coordinates subcontractors working in the same space?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"subcontractor-damages-property","Who is liable when a subcontractor damages the home?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"cousin-ray-no-show","How do you handle a subcontractor who stops showing up?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"worker-classification","Are your regular workers employees or 1099 contractors?",{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},"workers-comp-claim","What must you do when an employee is hurt on the job?",{"slug":85,"title":86,"topic":24},"worker-injury-no-comp","What happens when an off-the-books worker is injured?",{"slug":88,"title":89,"topic":24},"hiring-day-laborers","What are the risks of hiring day laborers for cash?",{"slug":57,"title":58,"topic":24},{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},1792184485328]