MARYLAND HOME IMPROVEMENT MANUAL 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A++
✔✔Who must obtain permits? - ✔✔It is the duty and obligation of the prime contractor to
secure all necessary permits,
licenses, and Certificates of Occupancy or special exceptions in accordance with
applicable state or local building laws. A contractor may not shift responsibility to the
consumer.
✔✔Where does a contractor go to secure a permit for an addition or alteration to a
house? - ✔✔A contractor secures all necessary permits from the New York City
Department of Buildings (DOB). A contractor must make sure that any addition or
alterations meet building code standards and do not violate local zoning laws. Finally,
although a
contractor may pick up permits at DOB, a registered architect or licensed engineer must
file alterations to building plans with DOB.
✔✔What is the difference between a subcontractor and an employee? - ✔✔A
subcontractor is an individual in business for himself or a firm in business for itself
contracting to do part of a home improvement contract with a prime contractor. An
employee works for wages and is under the employer's (prime or subcontractor) direct
supervision and control.
✔✔What is net profit of a job - ✔✔Net profit is the final profit of any job after expenses.
✔✔Must a subcontractor be licensed by DCA - ✔✔Yes. A subcontractor as opposed to
an employee of a general contractor, must have a DCA license to perform home
improvement work in New York City
✔✔What are some of your Obligations with regard to employees? - ✔✔you must cover
employees with workers' Compensation and disability insurance. Must report employee
wages to the internal Revenue Service, and you must withhold taxes.
✔✔What is an additional obligation with regard to employees? - ✔✔You must comply
with the Federal Immigration laws, which require employers to ensure that employees
have legal authority to work in the united States.
✔✔Can a contractor elect to secure a bond or participate in DCA's Home improvement
Trust Fund? - ✔✔Yes. A contracor can either secure a bond or contribute to DCA's
home Imporovement Trust Fund Every Two Years
✔✔What is needed to paint the exterior of a house with more than one story? - ✔✔You
may require a suspended scaffold and a rigging permit from DOB to paint the
exterior of a home that is one story or more, unless you can use a ladder to do the job.
You must contact DOB for more information before beginning this work.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A++
✔✔Who must obtain permits? - ✔✔It is the duty and obligation of the prime contractor to
secure all necessary permits,
licenses, and Certificates of Occupancy or special exceptions in accordance with
applicable state or local building laws. A contractor may not shift responsibility to the
consumer.
✔✔Where does a contractor go to secure a permit for an addition or alteration to a
house? - ✔✔A contractor secures all necessary permits from the New York City
Department of Buildings (DOB). A contractor must make sure that any addition or
alterations meet building code standards and do not violate local zoning laws. Finally,
although a
contractor may pick up permits at DOB, a registered architect or licensed engineer must
file alterations to building plans with DOB.
✔✔What is the difference between a subcontractor and an employee? - ✔✔A
subcontractor is an individual in business for himself or a firm in business for itself
contracting to do part of a home improvement contract with a prime contractor. An
employee works for wages and is under the employer's (prime or subcontractor) direct
supervision and control.
✔✔What is net profit of a job - ✔✔Net profit is the final profit of any job after expenses.
✔✔Must a subcontractor be licensed by DCA - ✔✔Yes. A subcontractor as opposed to
an employee of a general contractor, must have a DCA license to perform home
improvement work in New York City
✔✔What are some of your Obligations with regard to employees? - ✔✔you must cover
employees with workers' Compensation and disability insurance. Must report employee
wages to the internal Revenue Service, and you must withhold taxes.
✔✔What is an additional obligation with regard to employees? - ✔✔You must comply
with the Federal Immigration laws, which require employers to ensure that employees
have legal authority to work in the united States.
✔✔Can a contractor elect to secure a bond or participate in DCA's Home improvement
Trust Fund? - ✔✔Yes. A contracor can either secure a bond or contribute to DCA's
home Imporovement Trust Fund Every Two Years
✔✔What is needed to paint the exterior of a house with more than one story? - ✔✔You
may require a suspended scaffold and a rigging permit from DOB to paint the
exterior of a home that is one story or more, unless you can use a ladder to do the job.
You must contact DOB for more information before beginning this work.
