Tennessee’s Board for Licensing Contractors, established in 1931 under T.C.A. Title 62, Chapter 6, classifies sheet metal work as category #20 under Building Construction (BC). Any sheet metal project valued at $25,000 or more requires a contractor’s license issued by the Board, and applicants must pass both a Business and Law exam and submit a CPA-prepared reviewed financial statement before the Board will process the application. The $250 non-refundable application fee covers initial filing, and license issuance typically takes four to six weeks after Board approval.
Sheet metal contractors across Tennessee handle a broad spectrum of work that extends well beyond basic ductwork. Commercial and industrial projects frequently call for custom fabrication of exhaust systems, dust collection ductwork, stainless steel kitchen equipment, architectural wall panels, and specialty items like equipment screens and cupolas. Residential work tends to center on HVAC duct systems, chimney caps, flashing, and gutter components, though custom one-off fabrication requests are common in Middle Tennessee’s active construction market. The distinction between residential and commercial sheet metal work matters for licensing purposes: projects under $25,000 on existing homes in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties require a separate Home Improvement license, which involves a $10,000 surety bond and $100,000 minimum general liability coverage.
Nashville’s commercial construction pipeline keeps sheet metal shops in the metro area operating at high capacity, while Knoxville’s architectural renovation market sustains demand for custom flashings, standing seam metal roofing, and decorative metalwork on hotels and restaurants. Memphis-area sheet metal shops historically served the city’s industrial corridor, though several long-established firms have closed or shifted to supplier-only models in recent years. Rural and smaller-market areas across Tennessee generate steady demand for agricultural ventilation systems, grain bin components, and custom fabrication for small manufacturers.
When selecting a sheet metal contractor, confirm that their license classification covers the scope of your project by using the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors’ online license verification tool. Contractors working on HVAC-related sheet metal should hold a Mechanical Contracting (MC) classification, while architectural and structural work falls under Building Construction. Request documentation of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage before any work begins. Verify that the contractor’s monetary limit on their license exceeds your project’s total value, including materials and labor. For custom fabrication, ask to see examples of comparable past work and confirm whether the shop handles both fabrication and field installation or subcontracts the installation phase.
Top Sheet Metal Contractor Providers in Tennessee
1. Tennessee Sheet Metal Inc
- Address: 40 Fant Industrial Dr, Madison, TN 37115
- Phone: (615) 870-1172
- Website: https://tennsheetmetal.com
- Rating: 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
- Services: air duct systems, dust collection systems, stainless steel fabrication and welding, custom sheet metal applications, exhaust systems, HVAC ductwork
- Description: Tennessee Sheet Metal Inc has operated from its 45,000-square-foot facility in Madison since 1951. The company engineers, designs, fabricates, and erects sheet metal products for industrial and commercial clients, with BBB A+ accreditation.
2. Baird & Wilson Sheet Metal
- Address: 2703 Bond St NW, Knoxville, TN 37917
- Phone: (865) 523-9982
- Website: https://bairdandwilson.com
- Rating: 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
- Services: architectural sheet metal, aluminum canopies, metal wall panels, sheet metal roofing, coping, flashings, cupolas, steeples, equipment screens
- Description: Baird and Wilson Sheetmetal Inc. has provided custom-fabricated architectural sheet metal projects in East Tennessee for over 40 years. The company serves hotels, restaurants, offices, and other commercial facilities across the Knoxville region.
3. Nashville Sheet Metal
- Address: 104 Powell Pl, Nashville, TN 37204
- Phone: (615) 255-9152
- Website: https://nashvillesheetmetal.com
- Rating: 4.1/5 (19 reviews)
- Services: HVAC ductwork, commercial sheet metal, industrial sheet metal, specialty fabrication, custom design, stainless steel fabrication
- Description: Nashville Sheet Metal has served Middle Tennessee since 2003, with over 150 years of combined team experience in fabrication and installation. Owner Dexter Cross, a 2014 graduate of Tennessee Technological University, leads a crew that handles commercial, industrial, and specialty projects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sheet Metal Contractor in Tennessee
Q: Do sheet metal contractors need a license in Tennessee?
Sheet metal contractors must hold a Tennessee contractor’s license issued by the Board for Licensing Contractors for any project valued at $25,000 or more, including materials and labor. Sheet metal falls under classification #20 (Sheet Metal) within the Building Construction category. Applicants must pass a Business and Law exam, submit a CPA-prepared reviewed financial statement, and pay a $250 application fee. The license is valid for two years.
Q: What types of projects do Tennessee sheet metal contractors typically handle?
Tennessee sheet metal contractors fabricate and install HVAC ductwork, exhaust systems, dust collection systems, stainless steel kitchen equipment, architectural wall panels, metal roofing components, flashings, gutters, chimney caps, and custom-fabricated items. Commercial and industrial projects may include process piping enclosures, equipment screens, canopies, and specialty metalwork for restaurants, hospitals, and manufacturing plants.
Q: How much does sheet metal work cost in Tennessee?
Costs depend on the project type, material (galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper), and complexity. Residential HVAC duct replacement for an average home typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 for materials and labor. Custom architectural sheet metal, such as standing seam wall panels or decorative cornices, can run significantly higher depending on material choice and installation difficulty. Commercial projects are priced per pound of fabricated metal or by the project scope.
Q: What is the difference between the BC and MC license classifications for sheet metal work?
The Building Construction (BC) classification covers structural and architectural sheet metal work, including wall panels, roofing, flashings, and decorative metalwork. The Mechanical Contracting (MC) classification covers HVAC ductwork, process piping, and related mechanical system components. A contractor performing both types of work on a single project may need both classifications. Subcontractors performing mechanical sheet metal work valued at $25,000 or more on a project must also hold their own MC license.
Q: Does Tennessee have reciprocity agreements for out-of-state sheet metal contractors?
Tennessee has contractor license reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, among others. These agreements provide a trade exam waiver only; out-of-state contractors must still complete the Tennessee Business and Law exam, submit financial documentation, and obtain a Tennessee license before bidding or performing work. Reciprocal agreements do not allow using another state’s license directly in Tennessee.
Q: How can I verify a sheet metal contractor’s license in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors maintains a public license search tool on its website at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractor. You can search by contractor name, license number, or business name to confirm active license status, classification, monetary limit, and any disciplinary actions. Verify that the contractor’s license covers the specific classification needed for your project and that their monetary limit exceeds the total project cost.