How to Hire a Licensed Handyman in Maryland

Most homeowners in Maryland have heard the phrase "licensed and insured" so many times that it stopped registering. It sounds like marketing language. It is not. The MHIC license is a state requirement, and hiring without it leaves you without legal recourse when something goes wrong.

This page explains what the license actually covers, how to verify it in two minutes, and what questions to ask any contractor before they start work in your home.

What Is an MHIC License?

MHIC stands for Maryland Home Improvement Contractor. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission issues this license and requires it for any contractor performing home improvement work with a contract value over $200. That includes handymen, remodelers, painters, and trades doing work inside or outside a residential property.

To hold an MHIC license, a contractor must pass a licensing exam, maintain active registration with the state, and carry the required insurance. The license number is public record. You can look it up and verify it yourself before you hire anyone.

Property Renovators Handyman Services holds MHIC #112963. That number is on every page of this website because it is not optional and it matters.

What the License Actually Protects You From

The MHIC license does three things for you as a homeowner:

• It tells you the contractor has met Maryland's minimum qualifications to do the work legally.
• It gives you access to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission's guaranty fund if the contractor defrauds you or performs defective work and then disappears.
• It gives you a regulated complaint process through the state if a dispute arises that you cannot resolve directly with the contractor.

If you hire an unlicensed contractor and the work is defective or the contractor takes your deposit and vanishes, none of those protections apply. You are pursuing a civil claim at your own expense with no guarantee of recovery. The guaranty fund only covers work done by licensed contractors.

How to Verify an MHIC License Before You Hire

Go to the Maryland Department of Labor website and search the MHIC license database. You can search by contractor name or by license number. The result shows the license status, expiration date, and any complaints or disciplinary actions on record.

A valid license shows as active. An expired license means the contractor has not maintained their registration. A license with pending complaints is worth looking at more closely before hiring. All of this takes under two minutes and costs nothing.

For Property Renovators Handyman Services, the license number is MHIC #112963. Search it and verify it yourself. That is what the number is there for.

Insurance Is Not the Same as Licensing

Licensing and insurance are two separate things. A contractor can hold a valid MHIC license and carry no insurance. They can also claim to be insured without being able to produce a current certificate.

General liability insurance covers property damage caused by the contractor during the job. If a handyman breaks a fixture, cracks a tile, or causes water damage, general liability is how that gets paid for. Workers compensation covers injuries to the crew on your property. If someone on the job is hurt, workers comp keeps that liability off your homeowners insurance.

Ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts. A legitimate contractor can produce one in minutes. If there is any hesitation, that is the answer you need.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Handyman in Maryland

• What is your MHIC license number? (Then verify it yourself.)
• Do you carry general liability insurance and workers compensation? Can you provide a certificate?
• Will you give me a written quote before any work begins?
• Who specifically will be doing the work at my home? Is it your own crew or subcontractors?
• What is your workmanship guarantee? What happens if something fails after you leave?
• How many years has your business been operating in this area?

Red Flags That Should Stop the Conversation

Some patterns signal a problem before work even starts. These are worth taking seriously:

• Refuses to provide a license number or provides one that does not match their name in the state database.
• Demands a large deposit before seeing the job or before providing a written scope of work.
• Provides a verbal quote only and resists putting anything in writing.
• The price is dramatically lower than other quotes with no clear explanation for the difference.
• No physical address or verifiable business history in the area.
• Pressure to start immediately or sign the same day.

A legitimate contractor does not pressure you. They give you a written quote, let you verify their license, and schedule the work when it makes sense for your timeline.

About Property Renovators Handyman Services

Jacob Mora founded Property Renovators Handyman Services in Gaithersburg in 2016. The business has completed over 5,700 jobs across Montgomery County. MHIC #112963. Fully insured and bonded. Jacob leads every job with his own trained crew. No subcontractors.

If you have a job and want to know what it will cost, call (301) 395-3831. Jacob gives you a clear number before any work starts. No pressure, no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions