If you happen to live in Maryland and would like to start a home construction business, you should contact the MD Home Improvement Commission to gain the licenses. There are three licenses available, for home contractors, subcontractors and marketing. You should meet certain standards in order to gain these licenses and the Commission will ensure the customer`s satisfaction. Since each contractors have to get their licenses, it is more like a guarantee for the customers to use their services.
The differences between these three licenses are, the contractor will be the one dealing with the client and oversees the entire home improvement, including provides some home improvement tips for the client. Meanwhile the subcontractors will be the field team, in which they are responsible to construct the improvement properly. As for marketing, they will be representative of two or more construction companies, as long as the companies understand and registered with Commission.
The Requirements To Get The License
The reason why you need to obtain license in order to become registered home contractor at MD Home Improvement Commission, is basically to prove your company`s track records that perform excellent services to your customers. The requirements need to be met with the expectation before you get the license.
The requirements are including minimum of two years of experiences in home improvement business, stable financial record, take the tests for laws of home improvements and fulfill the competency of basic business. You also need to provide the bi-annual contribution to the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. Furthermore, no criman records should be found in your home improvement business.
How To Plan The Home Improvements?
Besides collecting the license from MD Home Improvement Commission, as a contractore, you need to understand how to plan the home improvements efficiently. First thing to do is to survey the location and discuss with the house owner about which area should be improved, renovated or construct. You can also discuss about the approximate cost that will be needed, including choosing the materials that are suitable with the budget.
Next thing to do is to make sure that you choose proper subcontractors to work with you in the project. You should check whether they have license from MD Home Improvement Commission, which will be a guarantee that their works are recommended. There are various subcontractors available, thus you need to check and compare each prices accordingly to get the best price.
The customeres have full right to contact the consumer protection department in order to check about your company, such as if there are any criminal records, how long your company has been founded, validity of your license and if any complaints have been filed. Thus, with maintaining your company`s track record, you will be able to attract more customers to use your service.
Finally, make sure that you make specific legal contract between the company and customers. This is to make sure that all the tasks are clearly informed in the beginning, especially the details of process, length of work and cost estimation. With providing proper agreement in advance, you can build professional relationship with the customers.
