Rapid population growth across Tennessee’s three largest metro areas has driven sustained demand for residential and commercial construction, making general contracting one of the state’s most active licensed trades. The Board for Licensing Contractors, established in 1931 and headquartered at 500 James Robertson Parkway in Nashville, administers six distinct building construction license classifications that govern this work. A contractor license is required before bidding or offering a price on any project valued at $25,000 or more, covering both prime (general) contractors and certain subcontractor trades. The Board issues classifications including BC (residential, commercial, and industrial combined), BC-A (residential), BC-B (commercial), BC-b(sm) (small commercial, capped at $750,000 per project), and BC-C (industrial). Each applicant must pass a 100-question, open-book Business and Law exam (73% passing score, $57 fee) and, depending on classification, a trade-specific exam covering sitework, foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, metals, roofing, code compliance, plan reading, estimating, and OSHA safety.
Monetary limits on each license are calculated at ten times the lesser of working capital or net worth. Obtaining an unlimited license requires both net worth and working capital exceeding $300,000, supported by a CPA-audited financial statement for limits above $3,000,000. The application fee is $250, and processing typically takes four to six weeks. Licenses are valid for two years, and Tennessee currently does not impose continuing education requirements for contractor renewal. The state maintains reciprocal trade exam agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina, though all reciprocal applicants must still pass the Tennessee Business and Law exam. The Board can fine unlicensed contractors up to $5,000 per offense and may suspend or revoke existing licenses for violations.
For residential remodeling projects valued between $3,000 and $25,000, nine Tennessee counties (Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby) require a separate Home Improvement (HI) license. This license demands a $10,000 surety bond, $100,000 in liability insurance, and is valid for two years. Contractors holding an HI license must include their license number in all advertising.
Nashville’s sustained construction activity, driven by population growth that added roughly 100 residents per day through much of the last decade, has created steady demand for residential and commercial general contractors in Middle Tennessee. Knoxville’s market leans toward renovation and historic rehabilitation in established neighborhoods, while Memphis contractors frequently handle both residential remodeling and commercial tenant buildouts. Across all three metro areas, homeowners benefit from requesting multiple bids, verifying license status through the Board’s online license lookup tool at tn.gov, confirming current insurance certificates, and checking references from completed projects of similar scope. The Board’s public database allows consumers to search by contractor name, license number, or classification to confirm that a contractor’s license is active and that no unresolved complaints are on file.
Top General Contractor Providers in Tennessee
1. Nashville Construction Solutions
- Address: 615 Main St Ste M20, Nashville, TN 37206
- Phone: (931) 954-2836
- Website: https://nashvilleconstructionsolutions.com
- Rating: 5.0/5 (59 reviews)
- Services: Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, deck construction, basement finishing, custom cabinetry, flooring installation, countertop replacement, commercial buildouts, residential renovations, design services
- Description: Nashville Construction Solutions is a licensed construction company based in East Nashville that provides residential and commercial building services. The company handles projects from the design phase through completion and emphasizes detailed upfront planning that covers total project cost, materials, and estimated timelines.
2. Aarons Remodeling Company
- Address: 705 Gate Ln #202a, Knoxville, TN 37909
- Phone: (865) 850-0277
- Website: https://aaronsremodelingco.com
- Rating: 5.0/5 (72 reviews)
- Services: Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, room additions, structural repairs, roofing, siding, decks, screened porches, custom homebuilding, commercial buildouts, insurance repair claims, fencing, carbon fiber structural reinforcement
- Description: Aarons Remodeling Company has operated in Knoxville since 2004, providing residential and commercial construction services. The company uses in-house crews rather than subcontractors for most projects and provides detailed line-item budgets with weekly billing reports that track spending against the approved scope.
3. Before and After Builders
- Address: 6000 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119
- Phone: (901) 327-2222
- Website: https://beforeandafterbuilders.com
- Rating: 5.0/5 (109 reviews)
- Services: Kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, home additions, luxury renovations, outdoor kitchens, aging-in-place modifications, exterior renovations, deck building, screened porches, garage conversions, custom cabinetry
- Description: Before and After Builders has served the Memphis area for over 30 years under the ownership of Skip Collins. The company holds contractor and limited licensed plumber credentials from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors and has earned 11 Best of Houzz awards.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Contractor in Tennessee
Q: How much does it cost to hire a general contractor in Tennessee?
General contractors in Tennessee typically charge between 10% and 20% of total project cost as their fee, often structured as cost-plus pricing. A kitchen remodel in Tennessee ranges from roughly $15,000 to $75,000 depending on scope and materials, while a bathroom renovation may fall between $8,000 and $40,000. Home additions typically start around $30,000 and can exceed $150,000 for complex builds. These figures cover materials, labor, subcontractors, permits, and the contractor’s management fee.
Q: Do I need a licensed general contractor for my Tennessee project?
Tennessee law requires a contractor license for any project valued at $25,000 or more. For residential remodeling projects between $3,000 and $25,000, a Home Improvement license is required in nine counties: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby. Projects below these thresholds may not require a state license, but local building permits and code compliance still apply. The Board for Licensing Contractors can fine unlicensed contractors up to $5,000 per offense.
Q: How can I verify a Tennessee general contractor’s license?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors maintains a public license verification tool on its website at tn.gov. You can search by contractor name, license number, or classification to confirm that a license is active, view the monetary limit, check the expiration date, and see whether any complaints have been filed. Requesting a copy of current general liability insurance and workers’ compensation certificates before signing a contract provides additional protection.
Q: Does Tennessee require continuing education for general contractors?
Tennessee currently does not impose continuing education requirements for contractor license renewal. Licenses are valid for two years from the date of issuance, and renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and maintenance of the required insurance and bonding levels. However, contractors must stay current with adopted building codes and OSHA safety standards enforced by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA).
Q: What Tennessee building codes apply to general contractor work?
Tennessee adopts the International Building Code (IBC) for commercial construction and the International Residential Code (IRC) for one- and two-family dwellings. Local jurisdictions may amend these codes, so requirements can vary between Nashville (Davidson County), Knoxville (Knox County), and Memphis (Shelby County). General contractors are responsible for obtaining all required building permits, scheduling inspections at each construction phase, and ensuring that finished work meets the applicable codes enforced by the local building department.
Q: What should I include in a contract with a Tennessee general contractor?
A construction contract in Tennessee should specify the full scope of work, materials to be used, total price or cost-plus terms, payment schedule tied to completion milestones, start and estimated completion dates, change order procedures, warranty terms, the contractor’s license number, and insurance requirements. Tennessee courts enforce written contracts, and a detailed agreement protects both homeowner and contractor in the event of disputes. Including a clause that addresses unforeseen conditions (such as hidden structural damage uncovered during demolition) helps prevent disagreements over additional costs.