Get Quotes from Top Carpenters in Nashville, TN

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Carpenter in Nashville?

Carpenters that wish to carry out home improvements worth less than $25,000 in Nashville must be generally required to obtain a BC-2 - Carpentry, Framing, and Millwork Home Improvement License from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before doing so. Where the project to be carried out is worth over $25,000, a contractor's license would be required, which is also to be obtained from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.

Carpenters who carry out any carpentry work without the appropriate license may be found liable for a misdemeanor charge as well as civil charges. First-time offenders can face penalties of up to $1,000 in fines and jail time of up to six months. Any person who intends to get a BC-2 license would be required to provide adequate and verifiable documents as proof that they have attained at least four years of experience as a journeyman within the last ten years. Applicants are also required to complete and submit a Home Improvement License Application Form and pay any applicable fees. Once the submitted documents have been properly reviewed and accepted, the license will be issued by the Board.

Before engaging the services of a carpenter near you, it is advisable to ensure that this individual holds a valid Home Improvement License. One way you can do this is by using the online License Search and Verification Platform maintained and made accessible to members of the public by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for this purpose. You can also reach the department at (615) 741-2241 to make inquiries concerning Nashville carpenter licensing requirements.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpenters in Nashville?

The rates charged by carpenters in Nashville is usually dependent on a variety of factors, some of which include:

• The nature of the improvements to be carried out
• The scope of this project
• The type of materials that would be required, and the cost of these materials
• The level of expertise required to execute the project

It is important to note that some carpenters prefer a flat rate for their services, as not all professionals charge an hourly rate. Before hiring a carpenter's services, it is advisable to obtain multiple cost estimates from more than one professional. Doing this will protect you from scammers and fraudulent individuals who may provide inflated costs.

A carpenter in Nashville earns an annual average wage of $46,240. The table below provides a comparison of the mean hourly wage for carpenters in Nashville against those of carpenters in the rest of the State of Tennessee as well as across several other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Nashville Building Code for Carpentry Work?

The Nashville-Davidson Building Codes are rules and guidelines designed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the inhabitants of Nashville by regulating the construction, repair, alteration, demolition, moving, use, and maintenance of structures and buildings within the city limits. The Building Codes also provide regulations that specify the quality of materials that are used in building and construction projects.

The safe thing to do when hiring the services of a carpenter in Nashville is to ensure that this person is familiar with the city's building codes. This is because the codes contain certain provisions that regulate carpentry work, especially as it relates to interior finishes, building accessibility, and other features of the structure that require the services of a carpenter. If you pay for the services of an individual who is unaware of the provisions of the code, this may expose you to potential code violations that could attract penalties and fines and may also threaten your well-being and safety.

While licensed carpenters are normally aware of the requirements of the Nashville-Davidson Building Code, familiarizing yourself with the Building Codes before carrying out a major home improvement is also advised. You can contact the Nashville City Department of Codes and Building Safety at (615) 826-6500 to get more information on the city's building codes.

Will You Get the Home Improvement Permits as Required by the Nashville Code?

Before embarking on a construction or home improvement project in Nashville, you would be required to obtain building permits. These permits are typically required for carpentry projects like the fitting of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, the modification or replacement of wall framing on doorways, the erection of wooden fences, and the replacement of window frames. However, certain projects may be exempted from the building permit requirement. These projects include;

• Repairs to an existing building, including the glazing of the windows and doors
• The repair of an existing roof that does not exceed 33% of the roof area
• Minor repairs to chimneys, stairs, and porches

Where a permit is required for your home improvements, these permits can be obtained only by a licensed carpenter from the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety through the Nashville e-permits portal. Users can apply for permits through this portal and schedule the required inspections. Alternatively, eligible parties also make permit applications in person by contacting the Department of Codes and Building Safety at

Note that appointments are typically required for in-person permit applications, and these appointments can be made by email or by calling the department at (615) 852-6500. After the submission of the required documents, the board reviews them before permits are granted. Once all submitted documents have been reviewed and approved, permit fees are to be paid before requested permits are issued. Also, at various stages of the home improvement project, the department would schedule inspections to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of the city's building codes.

These inspections can be arranged using the ePermits portal or by calling the department through the aforementioned phone number. You can contact the Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety at (615) 862-6500 if you have any inquiries regarding permits, inspections, or other related activities.

What Kind of Carpentry Services Do You Offer?

Carpenters in Nashville provide a range of carpentry services, and these services can be classified into two broad groups, namely Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry. Rough carpentry involves work that concerns the skeletal structure and is typically invisible after completion, such as beams and posts. Finish carpentry, on the other hand, requires more technique and skill, as it generally involves carpentry work that remains visible after completion. Examples of these include staircases and floors.

Additionally, some professionals may prefer to concentrate on certain areas of their vocation, such as cabinet and furniture making and installation, carpentry work on a commercial scale, and decorative woodwork. Before completing arrangements for the services of a carpenter, it is crucial to make sure that this individual specializes in the specific area that your carpentry project covers. You should ensure that your carpenter has the appropriate tools and level of experience to perform the job.

Here are the average costs (per foot) of some carpentry services in Nashville:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Carpenters in Nashville?

Both state-level and local-level laws require that all carpenters operating within Nashville-Davidson must hold valid insurance coverage. As stipulated by these laws, carpenters must possess a valid Nashville and Davidson County permit bond valued at no less than $10,000 and general liability insurance. The liability cover must be to the value of $100,000 for each property damage incident or $500,000 for each occurrence of bodily injury or death. A certificate of insurance must be submitted as proof to the Nashville-Davidson Department of Codes Administration, and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville/Davidson County must be made the holder of the insurance cover.

You should always confirm the insurance covers any individual that you plan to employ. Doing this would guarantee that you are sufficiently covered and do not become liable for any incident or workplace accidents that may occur during the duration of your carpentry project. If you fail to hire the services of an insured carpenter, you may be liable for any damage that is done to your property during the project. This, in turn, can have several legal and financial implications. Therefore, you should always demand evidence that your preferred carpenter possesses the necessary insurance coverage before you conclude any hiring arrangement with them, and ensure you verify this evidence and its details by contacting the necessary insurance provider.