Verify Your Contractor
Check license, insurance, and reviews before signing anything.
Search by contractor name or license number. Verify the license is active, not expired, and shows no disciplinary actions before signing any contract.
🔍 MHIC License Search →Maryland's MHIC requires all home improvement contractors to carry a specific MHIC license — not just a general business license. A contractor who can't produce an MHIC license number is operating illegally in Maryland.
When a contractor shows up after a storm, ask for their license number and look it up before they start work. Here are the license types that apply to hurricane repair work in Maryland:
Maryland's coastal areas — including Ocean City, Annapolis, the Eastern Shore, and the entire Chesapeake Bay region — face hurricane and nor'easter risk. The MHIC requires all home improvement contractors to be licensed, bonded, and insured.
Time matters — file complaints immediately. Agencies can sometimes freeze payments, seize bonds, or issue emergency stop-work orders when contacted quickly after fraud occurs.
County building departments. Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Mary's, and Worcester counties have the most active coastal programs.. All hurricane shutter and impact window installations require a building permit. The permit process ensures your installation meets the wind load requirements for your specific wind zone.
Why permits matter for your insurance: Unpermitted hurricane shutter installations do not qualify for wind mitigation insurance discounts. If your home sustains hurricane damage and the protection system was unpermitted, your insurer may deny the wind mitigation claim. A permit and final inspection are the documentation your insurance company needs.
Having a price range before meeting contractors prevents price gouging and helps you identify lowball quotes (which often signal unlicensed work or material shortcuts). These are 2026 averages for Maryland:
| Shutter type | Per sq ft | Full home (avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accordion shutters | $26 to $35 | $6,000 to $18,000 | Most popular in South Florida |
| Roll-down (motorized) | $45 to $100 | $14,000 to $28,000 | One-button deployment |
| Storm panels | $8 to $15 | $1,500 to $5,000 | Lowest upfront cost |
| Impact windows | $40 to $80 | $15,000 to $40,000 | Highest insurance discount |
Prices are for materials and installation. Permit fees ($150 to $500) are additional. Use our free calculator for a county-specific estimate.
A legitimate hurricane shutter contractor's written quote includes specific line items that protect you. Here is what each element means and what missing items signal.
| Quote element | What it should say | Red flag if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Product description | Specific manufacturer, model, and FL Product Approval number | Cannot verify what is being installed or confirm code compliance |
| Material specs | Gauge of aluminum, slat width, track type, hardware grade | Contractor may substitute lower-quality materials |
| Permit line item | Permit fee included or explicit statement it is additional | Contractor may skip permit — major risk for insurance and resale |
| Payment schedule | Percentage at signing, percentage at installation start, balance at completion | No protection against abandonment after large upfront payment |
| Timeline | Permit application date, fabrication weeks, installation date range | No accountability for delays |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty term plus contractor labor warranty (typically 1 to 5 years) | No recourse for defective installation |
| License number | State license number printed on the quote document | Either unlicensed or hiding credentials |
Ask for the FL Product Approval number (or state equivalent) for the specific product they plan to install. A legitimate contractor answers immediately. One who cannot provide it either does not have an approved product or has not done this job before.
Verify at: dllr.state.md.us — check license status, class, and complaint history before any contact.
The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) Guaranty Fund provides limited compensation for homeowners harmed by licensed contractors — a significant consumer protection unique to Maryland. Only MHIC-registered work qualifies.
Maryland requires MHIC registration for all residential improvement work. The registration number should appear on the contractor's written contract. Verify the number at dllr.state.md.us before signing.
Hurricane shutters prevent the damage that leads to emergency contractor calls. Get a free estimate and see your insurance savings.
Free Shutter Estimate → Maryland Recovery Guide →