For a concern about the site itself, such as how a request was passed on, how your information was used or a mistake in a guide, write through the contact form. It helps to give your name, the neighborhood or town, when you sent the request and what went wrong; each message is read and looked into.

The site is not a party to any agreement you make with a contractor, and it cannot settle disputes or order refunds. Raise any issue with a contractor's work, price, paperwork or conduct directly with that business first, and do it in writing so you hold a record.

Should that fail, public offices can step in. The Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) handles complaints about home improvement contractors and questions about the Guaranty Fund at 410-230-6231 or 1-888-218-5925, 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore. The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division takes consumer complaints and can share complaint history at (410) 576-6557. Plumbing concerns go to the Maryland State Board of Plumbing at 410-230-6379. Permit questions go to the office that issued the permit: Baltimore City DHCD at 443-984-1809, or Baltimore County PAI at 410-887-3900.

Maryland's Consumer Protection Act bars deceptive trade practices, including claiming an approval or connection a business does not have and falsely saying a repair is needed.

We also want to hear if a contractor who received your request acted in a way that worried you. Maryland law governs this complaints policy.