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How to start a service business in Maryland

Lawn care, handyman, pest control, auto repair, mobile services, or other trades.

Recommended structure

LLC

Typical startup cost

$1,000 – $25,000

State

Maryland

Step-by-step

1
Form an LLC and get an EIN
2
Get general liability + commercial auto insurance
3
Apply for any trade-specific license your state requires
4
Open a business bank account
5
Set up Jobber or Housecall Pro for scheduling + invoicing
6
Claim your Google Business Profile and ask for reviews

Licenses & permits you'll likely need

General business license
Trade-specific license (varies)
Sales tax permit (in some states)
Vehicle commercial registration

Exact requirements vary by city and county. Confirm locally before you operate.

Insurance

• General liability
• Commercial auto
• Workers' comp (when you hire)

Tax notes

Track mileage and fuel separately — both are deductible but use different IRS rules. Pick the standard mileage method and stay consistent.

Business banking

Use a card with cashback on gas and home improvement stores. Capital One Spark or Amex Blue Business Cash work well.

Official Maryland filing links

File LLC / Corp with Maryland

Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation

Search business name

Confirm your name is available

Apply for an EIN (IRS)

Free federal tax ID

See full Maryland resource page

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