More than 40 home improvement companies are set to fill the Byzantium Event Center on Riva Road when the Annapolis Home Owners Expo returns for its fall run on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. The free two-day event brings local, regional and national exhibitors together under one roof, with everything from kitchen remodelers to solar installers pitching their services to homeowners looking to renovate.
According to Eye On Annapolis, the expo currently lists more than 40 companies representing remodeling, kitchens and baths, windows and doors, foundations, decks, closets, exterior improvements, water services and solar energy. Organizers describe the show as a one-stop destination where visitors can compare products, meet contractors and get project advice, all without paying an admission fee. Free parking is also available at the venue at 2747 Riva Road.
The event traces back to 2005, when the operators behind these community home shows began producing similar expos across the region, per the same account. This particular gathering typically features between 55 and 140 booths, depending on the season, and organizers say the current exhibitor list and full schedule are posted on the expo's website.
Why So Many Contractors Are Courting Local Homeowners
The steady stream of vendors seeking a spot at events like this one reflects a housing market where remodeling has become big business. Anne Arundel County's median home sale price hit $556,000 in July 2026, a 10% jump from $505,000 the year before, according to Long & Foster. With a 75.1% owner-occupancy rate across the county's 241,700 housing units, a large share of local residents have both the equity and the incentive to invest in upgrades rather than move.
Much of the county's housing stock is also getting older. In submarkets like Glen Burnie, the average age of housing communities tops 35 years, according to Anne Arundel County Government housing studies, a factor that drives ongoing demand for roofing, foundation and window work of the kind on display at the expo.
Seminars Target Downsizing, Aging in Place and Tree Care
Saturday's schedule opens with a fall tree care session at 11 a.m., followed by mentalist Dan Gaffney's performance at 12:30 p.m. and Joe Bowen's “So You Want to Remodel?” talk at 1 p.m. A downsizing, relocating and decluttering session follows at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, an aging-in-place seminar at noon will focus on ways homes can be designed or modified to remain safe and comfortable as residents' needs change.
That seminar lines up with a broader demographic shift in the county. The population aged 65 and older is projected to double between 2020 and 2035, according to the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities, a trend that has accelerated demand for ramps, zero-threshold showers and other accessibility modifications among local homeowners planning to stay put.
Family Activities and Food Round Out the Weekend
Families attending will find a tiny house container display set up throughout the weekend, plus pumpkin decorating Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and performance dog shows from Fetch the Fun at noon and 2 p.m. Serenity Farm will bring a petting pen on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Greek food and pastries will also be available, supplied through the expo's arrangement with the Byzantium Event Center's affiliated congregation.
The expo runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What Homeowners Should Check Before Signing a Contract
Anyone planning to hire a contractor met at the expo has some legal protections worth knowing about. Maryland law requires any contractor performing residential renovation work valued at $500 or more to hold an active state home improvement license, according to the Maryland Department of Labor. Working with an unlicensed contractor is a criminal offense in the state and strips homeowners of protection from Maryland's guaranty fund.
Since June 1, 2024, licensed contractors have also been required to carry at least $500,000 in general liability insurance under Section 8-302.1 of Maryland's Business Regulation Article, a rule enacted to protect property owners from job-site damage and injury claims, the department notes. State law additionally caps upfront deposits at one-third of the total contract price and requires written contracts to include approximate start and completion dates, giving homeowners leverage to walk away from vendors who ask for more money upfront than the law allows.
