The remodeler who is also a registered home builder.

Horizons Unlimited Home Improvements, Inc. is a family-operated remodeling contractor and registered home builder based at 7387 Washington Blvd., Suite 104, Elkridge, Maryland 21075. The company was founded on August 1, 1993 by William L. Gmeinwieser Sr., who still runs it with Debra K. Gmeinwieser and personally performs most estimates. It holds Maryland Home Improvement Contractor license #16606 and Maryland Home Builder Registration #1369, and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

The company works throughout Howard County, Maryland — including Elkridge, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jessup, Savage, Clarksville, Fulton, Highland, Dayton, Glenelg, West Friendship, Woodbine, Lisbon and Marriottsville — and into adjoining Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, and Prince George's counties. Towns regularly served include Laurel, Hanover, Severn, Odenton, Glen Burnie, Annapolis Junction, Catonsville, Arbutus, Halethorpe, Sykesville and Eldersburg.

Yes. The company holds Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) license #16606, issued by the Maryland Department of Labor, and Maryland Home Builder Registration #1369. It is licensed, bonded, and insured. Any Maryland homeowner can verify both at the Maryland Department of Labor before signing a contract — you should do that with every contractor you consider, not just this one.

An MHIC license covers home improvement — work performed on an existing dwelling. A Maryland Home Builder Registration covers building new dwellings for sale. An addition sits on the line between the two: it is a new structure with its own foundation, framing and roof, attached to a house that already exists. A contractor who holds both credentials has demonstrated competence on both sides of that line. Horizons Unlimited holds both.

No. Estimates are free, and in most cases they are performed by the owner, Bill Gmeinwieser, rather than by a commissioned salesperson. Call 410-796-1333 or 800-673-3034 to schedule one.

Under Maryland law a home improvement contractor may not collect a deposit greater than one third of the contract price. Your contract must also be in writing and must contain the contractor's name, address and MHIC license number, a description of the work and materials, approximate start and substantial-completion dates, the agreed price, and notice of the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. If any of those are missing, do not sign it.

If the contractor was licensed when you signed, you may file a claim with the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. The Fund can reimburse actual losses up to $30,000 per claimant — or the amount you actually paid the contractor, whichever is less — with a $250,000 cap across all claimants against a single contractor. Claims must be filed within three years of discovering the loss. This protection only exists if your contractor was licensed, which is the practical reason to check a license number before you sign.

Yes — financing options are available for qualifying projects. Ask about current terms when you book your estimate. The company also runs periodic promotions, including $1,000 off siding jobs, $500 off roofing, and $100 off windows.