How to Check a Maryland Contractor’s MHIC License (and Avoid Scams)

Quick answer: Go to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission public license search, enter the contractor’s name or MHIC number, and confirm the license is active and the business name matches your contract. It takes about a minute — and it’s the single best way to protect yourself before a remodel.

In Maryland, anyone who does home improvement work for a homeowner must be licensed by the MHIC. Hiring an unlicensed contractor means losing important protections, including access to the state’s Guaranty Fund.

How to Verify a License, Step by Step

• Ask for the MHIC license number. Legitimate contractors put it on their estimates, contracts, trucks and website. (Ours is #117279.)
• Open the MHIC public query and search by name or number.
• Check that the license is active and not expired.
• Make sure the name on the license matches the company on your contract.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers’ comp.

What the MHIC Guaranty Fund Covers

If a licensed contractor does unworkmanlike, incomplete or abandoned work, homeowners can file a claim with the Guaranty Fund. According to the MHIC Guaranty Fund FAQ, the maximum recovery is $30,000 per claimant (or the amount paid to the contractor, whichever is less). Claims must generally be filed within three years of discovering the loss. This protection only applies to work by licensed contractors.

Deposit Rules

The state advises homeowners to pay no more than one-third of the contract price as a deposit and to always get a written contract. Be wary of anyone asking for most of the money up front or cash only.

Red Flags

• Door-to-door offers with “leftover materials” or a price good only today.
• No written contract, or a vague one without a scope, price and schedule.
• No license number, or a number that belongs to a different company.
• Pressure to skip permits “to save money.”
• No physical address or reviews you can verify.

The Maryland Attorney General’s guide to home repair scams is worth a read, and if something goes wrong you can file a complaint with MHIC.

What a Good Contract Includes

• The contractor’s name, address and MHIC number.
• A detailed scope of work and materials.
• Total price, deposit and payment schedule tied to progress.
• Approximate start and completion dates.
• Who pulls permits and how change orders are handled.

Why We Talk About This

We’re a licensed Maryland contractor with a 4.9-star rating from 93 Google reviews, and we’d rather you check us out than take our word for it. See who we are, our project gallery and real case studies.

Every home is different, and the only way to get a real number is to see the space. We offer free in-home estimates across Baltimore, Howard, Carroll, Harford and Anne Arundel counties, with a written, itemized price and no pressure. Call (410) 949-0063 (Mon–Sun, 8am–8pm) or request your free estimate online. We also offer military, senior and teacher discounts and financing through Enhancify.

Our MHIC license covers every job we do, from full remodels to handyman services like drywall repair, carpentry and trim work and deck and fence repairs.

Handyman services near you: Towson · Reisterstown · Owings Mills · Westminster · Eldersburg · Columbia · Ellicott City · Bel Air · Glen Burnie · Catonsville · See all handyman service areas