MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — A Florida man was issued a criminal summons after Maryland home improvement regulators alleged he sold and performed home improvement work in St. Mary’s County without a required license.
James Robert Bateman, 54, of Spring Hill, Florida, was charged with acting as a contractor without a license, selling home improvement without a license and failing to perform a contract.
The charges stem from a complaint filed with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission involving a home in the 26700 block of Tin Top School Road in Mechanicsville.
According to an application for statement of charges, the investigation found that between Oct. 14 and Nov. 5, 2025, the homeowners entered into an agreement with Bateman for home improvement work.
Court documents state the agreement involved drywall repair and painting services for an estimated cost of $6,620, and the work was to be performed at the Mechanicsville property.
The investigator wrote that the work constituted home improvement under Maryland law.
A search of Maryland Home Improvement Commission records found Bateman did not possess a valid Maryland home improvement license while acting as a contractor, according to court documents.
The application also alleges Bateman sold home improvement services to the homeowners without a required license.
According to court documents, Bateman performed some of the work, but the work was described as poor quality and needing to be completely redone.
The homeowner allegedly asked Bateman to return and correct the work, but court documents state Bateman refused.
The investigator wrote that Bateman’s conduct amounted to failing to perform a contract without justification.
Court records show a criminal summons was issued June 18.
A preliminary inquiry is set for July 31 in St. Mary’s County District Court.
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You should mention that the homeowner did not ask for or check for an MHIC license. Anyone that does not is causing this problem. They are lured by low prices.