Unlicensed contractors tend to give you a better deal if you pay cash, but they will disappear soon after they get your money whether the job is completed or not. The shoddy work might be done with stolen materials even though the contractor claims the supplies are brand new. An unlicensed contractor may act like you have a huge job, bigger than he or she expected, so more money is needed upfront. Do not fall for these scams! This contractor may be a friend or a friend of a friend; he or she is always very friendly at first until he or she gets your money.
The work the unlicensed contractor completes is most likely unprofessional and will need further attention. You will end up paying more for a licensed contractor to fix the damage than what you would have paid the licensed contractor to do the work to begin with! Even if you think you are getting a good deal, it is not worth the hassle to hire an unlicensed contractor. Did you know it is illegal to act as a home improvement contractor in Maryland without the proper license? Since he or she is already breaking the law, the chances are good that the unlicensed contractor already has a criminal history. You do not want to put your family at risk!
