Maryland Renovation Service in Baltimore: General Contracting for Mid-Size Home Projects

Maryland Renovation Service is a licensed general contractor operating in Baltimore that handles kitchen and bathroom remodels, room additions, and structural repairs for homeowners and small commercial properties, positioning itself between one-off handymen and large commercial construction firms.

What Maryland Renovation Service actually is

The company holds a Maryland Home Improvement License and a Class A General Contractor's License, required by state law for jobs exceeding $1,000. It operates as a full-service GC, meaning it pulls permits, coordinates subcontractors, and manages timelines rather than specializing in a single trade. The firm has worked primarily in Baltimore County and the city proper, typically handling projects in the $15,000 to $150,000 range. Smaller jobs under $5,000 are turned down; larger commercial builds or multi-unit developments fall outside their standard scope.

Services and pricing structure

Maryland Renovation Service charges labor on an hourly basis at $65 to $85 per hour depending on task complexity, with a required minimum project estimate before work begins. That estimate is free and includes a site visit. Materials are marked up 15 percent above wholesale cost. A typical kitchen renovation—cabinet replacement, countertops, new appliances, flooring, and lighting—ranges from $35,000 to $60,000 depending on material selections and whether structural work is needed. Bathroom remodels run $12,000 to $30,000. Room additions and structural work (foundation repair, wall removal) require a separate engineering assessment, adding $800 to $1,500 to the project cost.

Permits are obtained by the contractor and included in the bid. Maryland law requires permits for electrical, plumbing, and structural work; the contractor files on behalf of the homeowner, and inspection fees are passed through as a direct cost, typically $200 to $500 per permit depending on job scope.

The company requires 50 percent deposit at signing and 50 percent upon completion. Payment terms beyond cash or check are not offered; this excludes financing through third-party lenders, which some competitors provide as a convenience.

How Maryland Renovation Service compares to other Baltimore-area options

Larger firms like Chesapeake Construction Group handle projects from $100,000 to $2 million-plus and maintain their own crews; they charge higher hourly rates ($95 to $120) but reduce scheduling delays on major builds. Maryland Renovation Service's 15-person operation uses local subcontractors, which lowers overhead and is faster for jobs under $75,000 but requires more coordination on the homeowner's end.

Local handyman networks (such as TaskRabbit or independent operators) cost $40 to $55 per hour but cannot pull permits, coordinate inspections, or carry liability insurance for structural work. Maryland Renovation Service is the appropriate choice when permits are required or when multiple trades must work in sequence.

Small design-build firms like Stonewood offer interior design consultation included in their bid; Maryland Renovation Service does not provide design services but will execute plans from the homeowner's architect. This saves money on simple remodels but requires the homeowner to hire a designer separately if needed.

Who it suits and who it does not

This contractor suits homeowners with projects between $15,000 and $150,000, those in or near Baltimore County with limited design needs, and those willing to manage the project through the homeowner (not a general contractor who delegates everything). It is an appropriate fit for second bathrooms, kitchen updates with existing layout, finished basements, and structural repairs documented by an inspector.

It does not suit homeowners seeking design consultation, those needing financing options, those with budgets under $5,000 (handyman services are better), or those planning luxury or custom builds (design-build firms are more appropriate). It is not equipped for commercial projects beyond small retail buildouts.

What the first visit involves

The homeowner calls or emails photos and a description of the project. A site visit is scheduled within 5 to 10 business days. During the visit, the contractor measures, identifies code requirements, and notes any unforeseen conditions (hidden plumbing, outdated electrical, structural issues). The estimate is emailed within one week and includes itemized labor, materials, permit fees, and a timeline. The homeowner can accept, negotiate, or request changes at this stage at no additional cost. Once signed, the contractor pulls permits and schedules a start date, typically 2 to 4 weeks out depending on permit processing time with the city (Baltimore city permits average 10 to 15 business days; Baltimore County averages 5 to 7 days).

Hours, location, and logistics

Maryland Renovation Service operates Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with job sites open during those hours. Emergency calls are not taken; the company does not offer emergency repair services. The office is in Towson; homeowners must meet there for the initial estimate consultation or provide access to the property for the contractor to visit independently. Parking at job sites is the homeowner's responsibility; no dedicated lot is provided.

Project duration varies widely: a bathroom remodel typically takes 3 to 4 weeks; a kitchen 6 to 8 weeks; a room addition 12 to 16 weeks depending on permit delays and structural complexity.

For Baltimore homeowners whose projects require city or county permits and involve multiple trades, Maryland Renovation Service fills the gap between handymen and large commercial builders.