Section 8-101 - Definitions. - Maryland Statutes

MARYLAND STATUTES AND CODES

Section 8-101 - Definitions.

§ 8-101. Definitions.

(a) In general.- In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) Commission.- "Commission" means the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.

(c) Contractor.- "Contractor" means a person, other than an employee of an owner, who performs or offers or agrees to perform a home improvement for an owner.

(d) Contractor license.- "Contractor license" means a license issued by the Commission to act as a contractor.

(e) Fund.- "Fund" means the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund.

(f) Hearing board.- "Hearing board" means a home improvement hearing board appointed by the Commission under § 8-313 of this title.

(g) Home improvement.-

(1) "Home improvement" means:

(i) 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

(ii) an improvement to land adjacent to the building.

(2) "Home improvement" includes:

(i) construction, improvement, or replacement, on land adjacent to the building, of a driveway, fall-out shelter, fence, garage, landscaping, deck, pier, porch, or swimming pool;

(ii) a shore erosion control project, as defined under § 8-1001 of the Natural Resources Article, for a residential property;

(iii) connection, installation, or replacement, in the building or structure, of a dishwasher, disposal, or refrigerator with an icemaker to existing exposed household plumbing lines;

(iv) installation, in the building or structure, of an awning, fire alarm, or storm window; and

(v) work done on individual condominium units.

(3) "Home improvement" does not include:

(i) construction of a new home;

(ii) work done to comply with a guarantee of completion for a new building project;

(iii) connection, installation, or replacement of an appliance to existing exposed plumbing lines that requires alteration of the plumbing lines;

(iv) sale of materials, if the seller does not arrange to perform or does not perform directly or indirectly any work in connection with the installation or application of the materials;

(v) work done on apartment buildings that contain four or more single-family units; or

(vi) work done on the commonly owned areas of condominiums.

(h) Home improvement contract.- "Home improvement contract" means an oral or written agreement between a contractor and owner for the contractor to perform a home improvement.

(i) License.-

(1) "License" means, except where it refers to a license other than one issued under this title, a license issued by the Commission.

(2) "License" includes:

(i) a contractor license;

(ii) a subcontractor license; and

(iii) a salesperson license.

(j) Licensed contractor.- "Licensed contractor" means a person who is licensed by the Commission to act as a contractor.

(k) Owner.- "Owner" includes a homeowner, tenant, or other person who buys, contracts for, orders, or is entitled to a home improvement.

(l) Salesperson.- "Salesperson" means a person who sells a home improvement.

(m) Salesperson license.- "Salesperson license" means a license issued by the Commission to sell a home improvement.

(n) Sell a home improvement.- "Sell a home improvement" means:

(1) to negotiate or offer to negotiate a home improvement contract with an owner; or