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NEWS RELEASE

September 30, 2008

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Howard County Issues Cease and Desist Order to Local Home Improvement Company

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced today that the Office of Consumer Affairs has issued a Cease and Desist Order to a local home improvement company for operating in Howard County without a State home improvement contractor’s license. It is unlawful for businesses or individuals in Maryland to perform home improvements or enter into home improvement contracts without first obtaining the required license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission.

“Using an unlicensed contractor is a recipe for disaster,” said Ulman. “If our Office of Consumer Affairs finds unlicensed contractors at work here, it will take whatever action is necessary to make sure that those contractors are stopped unless or until they obtain the necessary license.”

M&A Construction Company was the subject of a complaint in which the consumer alleged that M&A accepted payment to put on an addition to the consumer’s house but did not complete the work. The Cease and Desist Order prohibits the business and its owner, James Martz III, from soliciting home improvement work, signing new home improvement contracts and performing any home improvement work until it has obtained the required home improvement contractor’s license and provided the Office of Consumer Affairs with proof of the licensure. Violations of this Order could result in civil fines of $500 per violation.

“Consumers who want to make improvements to their homes should make sure that any contractor they are considering has a valid license by calling the Home Improvement Commission before they enter into their contracts,” said Rebecca Bowman, Administrator of the Office of Consumer Affairs.

Consumers may check whether the contractor is licensed by calling the Commission at 410-230-6309 (toll-free at 1-888-218-5925) or by visiting the Commission’s website, http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/homeim.html.

Questions on this topic or other consumer-related matters may be directed to the Office of Consumer Affairs at 410-313-6420 or consumer@howardcountymd.gov.