[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":95},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-question-maryland-contractor-simulator-tony-files-lien":3},{"site":4,"simulation":15,"topic":23,"question":26,"siblings":52,"prev":93,"next":94},{"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":35,"speakerDescription":36,"speakerAvatar":37,"audioUrl":38,"choices":39,"citations":50},"tony-files-lien","What happens when an unpaid subcontractor files a mechanics lien?","The lien clouds the homeowner's property, and paying it off does not end the matter: you still face an MHIC complaint for violating COMAR 09.08.01.12, legal…","The lien clouds the homeowner's property, and paying it off does not end the matter: you still face an MHIC complaint for violating COMAR 09.08.01.12, legal fees, and a possible Guaranty Fund claim.",[32,33,34],"Tony files a mechanics lien on Sarah's property. Sarah is furious — she didn't even know who Tony was, and now there's a lien on her house.","\"I paid YOU! How is this my problem?\" she shouts over the phone.","She files a complaint with the MHIC.","Sarah Mitchell","A first-time homeowner who wants a kitchen renovation. Excited but nervous about hiring a contractor.","/media/characters/homeowner_sarah.png","/media/voices/tony_files_lien.mp3",[40,45],{"text":41,"verdict":42,"label":43,"explanation":44},"Pay Tony immediately to release the lien, apologize to Sarah, and absorb the cost as a business lesson","note","Expensive lesson","The lien is released, but the MHIC complaint still exists. You violated COMAR 09.08.01.12. Sarah may also have grounds for a Guaranty Fund claim. This single mistake cost you: Tony's payment, legal fees, the complaint investigation, and your reputation. All because you tried to make your cash flow problem someone else's.",{"text":46,"verdict":47,"label":48,"explanation":49},"Lawyer up and fight it — Tony should have worked out payment terms before starting","wrong","Worst path","Fighting this in court costs more than paying Tony. The law is clear: you must pay your subs (COMAR 09.08.01.12). Sarah's complaint to MHIC is legitimate. You now face legal fees, the original debt, potential Guaranty Fund liability, MHIC disciplinary action, and two destroyed professional relationships. This is how contractors lose their license.",[51],"COMAR 09.08.01.12",[53,56,57,60,63,66,69,72,75,78,81,84,87,90],{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},"subcontractor-payment","Must you pay subcontractors when the homeowner pays late?",{"slug":27,"title":28,"topic":24},{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24},"lien-rights-education","Can a subcontractor put a lien on a house the owner paid in full?",{"slug":61,"title":62,"topic":24},"client-wants-to-pay-sub-directly","Should a homeowner pay your subcontractor directly?",{"slug":64,"title":65,"topic":24},"mike-unlicensed-electrical","What if your electrician's license expired mid-job?",{"slug":67,"title":68,"topic":24},"subcontractor-not-licensed","Can you hire a plumber who is still getting licensed?",{"slug":70,"title":71,"topic":24},"homeowner-does-own-electrical","Can a homeowner do their own electrical work on your job?",{"slug":73,"title":74,"topic":24},"multiple-subs-coordination","Who coordinates subcontractors working in the same space?",{"slug":76,"title":77,"topic":24},"subcontractor-damages-property","Who is liable when a subcontractor damages the home?",{"slug":79,"title":80,"topic":24},"cousin-ray-no-show","How do you handle a subcontractor who stops showing up?",{"slug":82,"title":83,"topic":24},"worker-classification","Are your regular workers employees or 1099 contractors?",{"slug":85,"title":86,"topic":24},"workers-comp-claim","What must you do when an employee is hurt on the job?",{"slug":88,"title":89,"topic":24},"worker-injury-no-comp","What happens when an off-the-books worker is injured?",{"slug":91,"title":92,"topic":24},"hiring-day-laborers","What are the risks of hiring day laborers for cash?",{"slug":54,"title":55,"topic":24},{"slug":58,"title":59,"topic":24},1792184485319]