DLLR's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
 

What is Home Improvement? - Maryland Home Improvement Commission
 

The Home Improvement Law defines "home improvement" as the addition to or alteration, conversion, improvement, modernization, remodeling, repair, or replacement of a building or part of a building that is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling place or a structure adjacent to that building; or an improvement to land adjacent to the building. For more information, please call MHIC at 410-230-6309 or mhic@dllr.state.md.us.

 

In each residence built prior to 1978, the EPA requires anyone performing renovation, repair or painting projects that disturb lead-based paint to obtain an EPA certification and follow-lead safe work practices. Contractors must (1) provide a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet to the occupants; (2) contain the work area; (3) minimize dust; (4) clean up thoroughly; and (5) document compliance. This rule applies to any renovation, demolition, or paint project that affects 6 square feet of interior space or 20 square feet of exterior space. For more information, visit the EPA website.
 

Here are some examples of home improvement work:

 
Interior of Residence
  • Carpentry
  • Central Vacuum Systems
  • Built-in Closet Organizers
  • Floors
  • Marble
  • Mounted Entertainment Systems
  • Painting
  • Plastering
  • Walls
  • Windows
   Exterior of Residence
  • Awnings
  • Boat lifts/Piers
  • Bricklaying
  • Doors
  • Driveways
  • Excavating
  • Fences
  • Flagstone
  • Grating
  • Gravel Driveways
  • Gutters/Downspouts
  • House Moving
  • Landscaping
  • Painting
  • Patios
  • Paving
  • Pointing
  • Sidewalks
  • Siding
  • Railings
  • Roof
  • Shore Erosion Control
  • Sod (when landscaping)
  • Stairs
  • Stucco
   Accessibility Features
  • Chair lifts for Stairs
  • Overhead Lift Systems
  • Ramps
 
Cleaning and Treatments
  • Acid cleaning
  • Acoustical treatment
  • Chemical Powerwash
  • Glaziers
  • Lead Paint Abatement
  • Radon Gas Mitigation
  • Sandblasting
  • Sealants
  • Waterproofing
   Doors and Windows
  • Doors
  • Screens
  • Skylights
  • Stained Glass
  • Shutters (exterior)
  • Storm Doors
  • Storm Windows
  • Window Tinting
  • Windows
   Energy Conservation
  • Insulation
  • Solar panel systems
  • Windmill foundations
 
Fire
  • Chimney Repairs
  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Fire Escape
  • Fireplaces
   Floors and Walls
  • Caulking
  • Ceilings
  • Drywall
  • Floating Floors
  • Linoleum
  • Paneling
  • Terrazzo
  • Tile
  • Wallpapering
  • Wall Coverings
  • Wood Flooring
   Iron/Stone/Marble
  • Aluminum
  • Masonry
  • Iron, Ornamental Railings
  • Stone-Cast
 
Kitchen and Bath
  • Bathroom
  • Cabinets
  • Kitchen
  • Shower/Bath Enclosures
  • Sinks and Countertops
  • Tile
  • Vanities
   Pools/Hot Tubs
  • Hot Tubs - Permanent
  • Pools
  • Pool Covers
  • Pool Houses
   Structures
  • Carports
  • Club Rooms
  • Decks
  • Fallout Shelters
  • Foundations
  • Garages
  • Piers
  • Pole Buildings
  • Porch Enclosures
  • Porches
  • Retaining Walls
  • Sunrooms
 

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Questions or comments regarding the Maryland Home Improvement Commission may be directed to mhic@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing may be directed to op@dllr.state.md.us.
Questions or comments regarding the DLLR website may be directed to webmaster@dllr.state.md.us.

Updated May 23, 2011