Get Quotes from Top General Contractor in Nashville, TN

Are You Licensed to Practice as a General Contractor in Nashville?

The first step to deciding on the right general contractor to hire for your construction and home remodeling projects is determining if the contractor has been properly licensed. The licensing and regulation of general contractors in Nashville is handled at the state level by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) through its Board for Licensing Contractors. Per the requirements of this agency, general contractors in the city must hold a valid department-issued Contractor License before bidding or offering prices for projects worth $25,000 and above, cost of materials and labor inclusive, or providing services on projects worth this value. Note that while a TDCI-issued contractor license is not required for projects with a total value below $25,000, general contractors in Nashville are required to obtain a separate Home Improvement License for home remodeling projects from $3,000 to less than $25,000.

Applications for TCDI-issued licenses may be submitted to the department online via its CORE platform. It should be noted that the creation of a user account on this portal will be required before the application process can be initiated. To this end, the TCDI provides interested applicants with respective contractor license and home improvement license user guides and instruction resources that can be used to glean information on navigating the CORE platform and carrying out the license application process. Applicants are also expected to meet certain eligibility criteria before they can obtain contractor or home improvement licenses from the TCDI, and these include:

• Passing a department-administered licensing examination, which consists of a business and law portion and a trade portion
• Providing a current reviewed or audited financial statement prepared by a Certified Public Accountant or a Licensed Public Accountant
• Submitting a Letter of Reference from a past client, employer, or codes official that can comment on the applicant's construction experience
• Providing proof of adequate general liability and workers' compensation insurance coverage
• Providing proof of business registration, where necessary
• Submitting a notarized Contractor's Affidavit and a Power of Attorney where necessary
• Paying all stipulated application fees

Note that an interview with the TCDI's Board for Licensing Contractors may be required before issuing the requested licenses. Also, the TCDI assigns all licensed contractors a license classification and monetary limit. This limit stipulates the maximum value of work that the contractor is authorized to bid for or work on and is usually based on the financial statement they submit during the application process.

You can get additional information on the TCDI's licensing requirements and procedures for general contractors in Nashville by calling (615) 741-2241. Inquiries on this subject can also be directed to the department's Board for Licensing Contractors at (615) 741-8307, (800) 544-7693, or via email.

Note that general contractors who fail to obtain an appropriate license from the TCDI before biding for or providing services to residents of Nashville are considered guilty of committing a Class A misdemeanor offense. This carries a statutory penalty of up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines, as well as a separate administrative penalty of up to $5,000 in fines. These penalties also apply to individuals who accept bids from unlicensed general contractors in the city.

As such, confirming your intended general contractor's licensing status is always in your best interest before signing any contracts with them. You can do this online through the License Search and Verification portal that the TCDI provides for this purpose. You should also consider using the search tips provided by the department before accessing this portal to ensure that your license search and verification returns accurate results.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other General Contractors in the City?

Finding out how much your preferred general contractors charge for their services is another important area to consider when searching for professional general contractors in Nashville. The total amount of money that a general contractor in the city will charge you for their services is largely dependent on the following factors:

• The type of project you intend to undertake
• The nature and scope of the project
• The specific location of the project within the city
• Accessibility to the project site and prevalent site conditions
• The types and cost of construction materials and supplies that will be needed to execute the project satisfactorily
• Permit and inspection costs, as well as other local regulatory requirements
• The urgency of the project
• Labor costs
• The quality of the available building, site, and design plans and drawings for the project

Even though some general contractors in Nashville may calculate their charges using an hourly rate fee structure, it is more common for contractors in the city to utilize a percentage fee structure when charging clients for their services. This percentage generally ranges from 10 – 20 percent of the total cost of the project in question but may go as high as 25 or even 30 percent for large and complex projects. When utilizing a percent fee structure, general contractors typically come up with project cost estimates and also calculate their rates using one of two main pricing methods, namely:

• Fixed Bid/Lump Sum Pricing: with this pricing method, the general contractor offers a single price that is meant to cover all labor and material costs for the project. This price also includes the contractor's fee for services rendered, which is usually a pre-determined percentage of the actual project cost. The fixed bid/lump sum pricing method gives project owners a clear picture of their project's anticipated cost up front and reduces disagreements between them and the contractor by preventing unforeseen or needless price changes throughout the project's execution. Keep in mind that general contractors typically add a markup to their estimates of labor and material expenses when using this pricing method to cover the costs of any unanticipated events.
• Time and Material/Cost-Plus Pricing: with this pricing method, the general contractor offers an estimate of the overall cost of the materials and supplies needed for the project and then sets an hourly rate for the labor required to complete the work, plus their fees. This pricing method is often preferred for projects without a set completion date or a clear timeline, as it can help the project owner save money if the project is completed sooner than anticipated. On the other hand, if the project encounters any difficulties or delays while it is being carried out, the project owner may often end up spending more than the initial cost estimate.

Always request and compare written bids and cost estimates for your construction or home remodeling project from no less than three different general contractors in the city before making your final hiring decision. Doing this is an effective way to avoid falling victim to the actions of dishonest and fraudulent contractors who take advantage of unsuspecting clients by grossly inflating the costs of materials and services required for projects. Ensure that you provide these general contractors with project parameters that are as similar as possible to enable you to compare their submitted bids, and remember that no two bids can be exact.

It is important to point out that costs should not be the sole deciding factor for your hiring decision. Never hire the contractor with the lowest bid before finding out why their rates are lower than the others, and be wary of contractors with suspiciously low bids who cannot reasonably justify their rates. Also, make sure that the general contractor you end up selecting meets other eligibility criteria like proper licensing and insurance, the right level of experience, and a good local reputation.

General Contractors in Nashville earn an estimated annual average wage of $65,710. The list below compares the average hourly wage of these contractors with those of general contractors in other parts of Tennessee and other locations across the United States:

What Kind of General Contractor Services Do You Offer?

Professional general contractors in Nashville typically take on a number of responsibilities when they are hired to oversee and manage construction and home remodeling projects, and these include:

• Preparing cost estimates for the project
• Creating and managing a work schedule for the project
• Making arrangements for labor and necessary equipment and machinery needed for the project
• Coordinating materials suppliers and vendors and hiring subcontractors where necessary
• Organizing and overseeing activities at the project site and ensuring that quality services are provided
• Pulling all required permits for the project
• Ensuring that the work being done conforms to applicable building and construction codes.
• Overseeing administrative aspects of the project, such as cash flow, worker scheduling, and payments
• Ensuring that proper records of all project-related activities are kept
• Making sure that the project is completed on time
• Performing actual construction work and helping out with clean-up activities as needed

Note that even though general contractors in the city typically offer a wide range of services on projects that they work on, the specific nature and scope of these services are largely dependent on the contractor, client, and project in question. As such, you should always confirm the exact types of services that your intended general contractor either plans to or is equipped to offer for your project. Make sure that you agree on the scope of these services before finalizing any hiring arrangements with them, and ensure that these agreements are included in your contract.

It is also a good idea to find out the particular aspects or portions of your project that will be handled by subcontractors. Subcontractors are often required to work on portions of construction and home remodeling jobs that require specific occupational licenses or specialized knowledge and tools that the general contractor does not possess. These typically include:

• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• HVAC installation
• Masonry
• Carpentry and woodwork
• Demolition

Keep in mind that you can choose to hire subcontractors for your project yourself, especially if you have preferred subcontractors for specific tasks. However, it is more prudent always to leave this responsibility to your general contractor, as they tend to have access to a more diverse pool of skilled and experienced subcontractors. Additionally, by doing this, you lessen your financial and legal liability in the event of adverse unforeseen circumstances, such as unsatisfactory service delivery, work injuries, and property damage incurred by the subcontractors.

The table below highlights a few key distinctions between general contractors and subcontractors who work on construction and home remodeling projects in Nashville:

Will You Get the Necessary Permits as Required per the City Code?

Per the provisions of Title 16 of the Nashville Code of Ordinances, a permit must be obtained before the commencement of building and construction-related activities in Nashville. These include new construction work, altering, renovating, repairing, enlarging, or demolishing existing buildings and structures, and installing, replacing, altering, converting, or repairing plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical systems in these buildings and structures. Note that permit exemptions may be made for certain types of building and construction activities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Normal maintenance repairs on existing buildings and structures, such as painting, papering, window and door glazing, floor finishing, minor chimney, porch, and stair repairs, and underpinning and repairs to no more than 33 percent of an existing roof
• Roof replacements on existing one or two-family dwellings
• Work involving portable gas or HVAC appliances, units, and equipment
• Installing low-voltage wiring in existing one or two-family dwellings, provided that no more than 10 active or current utilization devices are being installed, except in dwellings that are not required to have fire separations of two hours or more

Making sure that all necessary permits for your project are obtained before any work begins is of utmost importance. Failing to do this can result in a statutory penalty of triple the actual fees for the required permits and other city-imposed sanctions. Other benefits of ensuring that all necessary permits for your project are pulled before your project commences include:

• It ensures that public safety, health, and welfare are maintained
• It protects the value of your property
• It helps save you money on insurance costs
• It prevents tear-downs, stop-work orders, and similar sanctions and penalties.
• It reduces your exposure to avoidable liabilities.

Permits for construction and home remodeling projects in Nashville can be obtained from the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety, and these permits are typically only issued to properly licensed contractors. However, permits may also be issued to owners of single-family residences as long as they either currently live in or intend to live on the property for which the permits are being requested.

Permit applications can be submitted to the Department of Codes and Building Safety online via its E-Permit System. Note that this option is only available to state-licensed contractors, who must also register locally with the department. Eligible parties that wish to initiate this registration process may do so by contacting the Department of Codes and Building Safety via email. The department also provides interested parties with access to a user guide that can be used to glean information and get assistance in creating and submitting permit applications via its online permitting system.

Alternatively, permit applications can be made to the Department of Codes and Building Safety in person through its Development Services Center located at:

Applicants who wish to utilize the in-person permitting option are expected to schedule an appointment with the center via email or by calling (615) 862-6500 before visiting the office. Note that the email should include a phone number that can be used to contact the permit applicant, as well as an address of the property for which the permit is being requested. After appointments are made, applicants are usually assigned a building official to assist them with the permit application process and make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

It should be noted that the permit application process typically involves the payment of stipulated fees as well as the submission of site plans, renderings, and other necessary documentation that may be requested at the time of the application for review. Also, after the permit application is submitted, reviewed, and approved, applicants are typically expected to schedule inspections of the work being done at various stages of its progress, which is usually before any work is covered or concealed. These inspections are carried out to make sure that the project adheres to all applicable building and construction codes and regulations.

You can get additional information on the Metro Nashville Department of Codes and Building Safety's permit-issuing requirements and procedures for building and home remodeling projects by calling (615) 862-6500. Queries can also be directed to (615) 862-6517 and (615) 862-6510.

Do You Work with Subcontractors?

It is common for general contractors in Nashville to require the services of subcontractors to handle specific portions of the work on construction and home remodeling projects that they are hired to oversee and manage. Some subcontractors that general contractors in the city frequently work with include:

• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Masons
• Carpenters
• Painters
• HVAC contractors
• Door and window installers
• Floorers
• Insulation installers
• Demolition experts

General contractors often require the services of these subcontractors for several reasons, such as:

• To enhance their flexibility and productivity on the project
• To handle jobs that call for specialized knowledge and skillsets or trade-specific occupational licenses that the general contractor lacks
• To get assistance on diverse, large, or complex projects
• To make the project more cost-efficient

It is always a good idea to include a provision in the contract for your project that requires the general contractor to inform you of all subcontractors they hire for the project before they begin any work. This way, you can keep tabs on these subcontractors and also prevent conflicts that often result from disputes between general contractors and subcontractors over matters like:

• Unsatisfactory work and failure to meet expectations
• Late, incomplete, or non-payments

Note that, per the provisions of Title 66, Chapter 34 of the Tennessee Code, also known as the state's Prompt Payment Act, payments for construction projects in Nashville must be made within the following timelines:

• Payment from the project owner to the general contractor must be made no later than 30 days after the general contractor requests this payment. Note that the general contractor is expected to have completed the required work per the terms of the project contract and should also request this payment according to the payment schedule stipulated in the contract.
• Payment from general contractors to subcontractors must be made no later than 30 days after a payment request is received by the general contractor. Similar to payments from project owners to general contractors, the subcontractor must have completed the work per the terms of the subcontract and must also request payment according to the schedule outlined in this contract. However, the general contractor is mandated to make all necessary payments to the subcontractor, regardless of whether or not they have received the payment from the project owner.

Even though this law places the burden of subcontractor payment on general contractors that hire them, you should always ensure that you remit payments to your general contractor on time and ensure that they adequately pay all subcontractors. This is because, per Title 66, Chapter 11 of the Tennessee Code, unpaid parties that are involved in the execution of your project have the right to file a lien on your property and lay a claim to it to secure their payment. These parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, subcontractors, laborers, materials suppliers, and vendors.

You can avoid the hassle and cost of dealing with liens-related situations by taking the following steps before and during your construction or home remodeling projects in Nashville:

• Thorough Research and Due Diligence: always confirm that any general contractor you intend to hire is properly licensed and has a track record of promptly paying laborers, subcontractors, materials suppliers, and vendors
• Preliminary Notices: ensure that your general contractor notifies you of all subcontractors and materials suppliers who will be directly involved in your project and the types of services they will be providing in relation to the project
• Written Contracts: insist on a written contract for your project and make sure it includes a payment schedule as well as any agreements or promises made by the general contractor
• Timely Settlements: make sure that all necessary payments are made to the general contractor as soon as they are due
• Lien Waivers: request a lien waiver for every payment you make to the general contractor and for every payment the general contractor makes to other parties involved in the project. This is a very effective way to avoid having liens placed on your property.
• Contractor Bonds: find out if your general contractor has a contractor bond and insist they obtain one before the project's start. This way, if the contractor doesn't pay subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, and other relevant parties on schedule, claims can be made against this bond.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for General Contractors in the City?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,008 work-related deaths were recorded in the construction industry in 2020, accounting for approximately 21 percent of the total work-related deaths reported in the country during this timeframe. As such, confirming your intended general contractor's insurance status is an important step to take in determining their suitability for your project, and failing to do this can make you liable for any injuries that occur during your project. These injuries are inflicted by four main causes, namely:

• Falls from heights or the same level
• Electrocutions
• Caught-in/between injuries from cave-ins and workers getting stuck between two heavy objects
• Struck-by injuries from falling, swinging, flying, or rolling objects

To this end, general contractors that operate in Nashville are required to comply with the following mandatory insurance conditions before doing so:

• Carrying general liability insurance with a minimum limit ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the contractor's license monetary limit
• Carrying workers' compensation insurance for their employees
• Posting a $10,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit. However, this is only mandatory for Home Improvement License contractors.

Always verify your intended general contractor's insurance status before signing any contracts with them. You can do this by requesting copies of their insurance certificates and contacting the appropriate insurance provider to validate these documents. Make sure that the contractor's insurance policy can adequately cover any injuries and property damage that may occur during the project, and also find out if they hold additional professional liability insurance to cover contractor-caused errors and defects.

You can get additional information on the mandatory insurance conditions for Nashville general contractors by contacting the TDCI's Board for Licensing Contractors at (615) 741-8307 or (800) 544-7693.

Do You Provide a Warranty for Works Completed?

Before hiring any general contractor for your construction or home remodeling projects in Nashville, you should endeavor to find out the types of warranties that will be offered for the project. These warranties are assurances that the services and products being paid for in relation to the project will perform as expected or promised, and two main types of warranties are typically offered for construction and home remodeling projects, namely:

• Explicit Warranties: these types of warranties are usually offered in writing and are often included in the project bid or contract
• Implied Warranties: these are non-written warranties that are recognized by law and apply to all construction and home remodeling projects, regardless of if an explicit warranty is eventually offered or not

Some common examples of these explicit and implied warranties include:

• Material/Equipment Warranties: these warranties are issued for materials and equipment used for the project to guarantee that they are free from defects and will perform as expected or required
• Vendor Warranties: these are similar to material/equipment warranties and are typically issued by the manufacturers or vendors of appliances and products used for construction and home remodeling projects
• Call-back Warranties: these warranties provide a specified timeframe when the project owner may recall the contractor to fix or rectify any incorrect work or defects found in the completed project, usually at no extra cost
• Design-Build Warranties: these warranties are typically issued by design professionals like architects, interior designers, and engineers to guarantee the quality of their services
• Workmanship Warranties: these warranties are offered to assure the project owner that all laborers and subcontractors who worked on the project did their jobs to the highest standard
• Warranties of Habitability: these warranties are typically issued for new residential constructions and home remodeling projects and they assure the project owner that the completed structure or remodeled building is suitable for its intended use and safe to live in

There are currently no local or state laws that mandate the types of explicit warranties that must be issued by general contractors in Nashville or the specific parts of construction and home remodeling projects that must be covered by these explicit warranties. Nonetheless, warranties issued by many professional general contractors in the city typically offer the following coverage:

• One-year coverage for workmanship and finishes like paint, siding, stucco, doors, windows, trim, and drywall
• Two-year coverage for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems
• 10-year coverage for major structural defects

Always find out the specific scope of any warranties you are offered and ensure that you understand their terms and conditions to avoid voiding them. Note that, per Title 28, Chapter 3 of the Tennessee Code, actions for breaches of warranty in Nashville must be brought against the general contractor no later than four years after the project's substantial completion. However, in situations where an injury caused by this breach of warranty or defect in the property occurs during the fourth year after the project was substantially completed, then the actions may be brought no later than one year after the injury.

Can You Provide References of Clients Served in Nashville?

When planning your construction or home remodeling, you may get referrals to general contractors from friends, families, and acquaintances or via member directories provided by organizations like:

• The Associated General Contractors of Tennessee
• The Home Builders Association of Tennessee
• The Associated Builders and Contractors - Greater Tennessee Chapter

However, before you finalize hiring arrangements with general contractors in the city, you should ask them to provide you with details of at least three past clients who can vouch for them. Always do this, regardless of who referred the general contractor to you. Consider it a red flag if any general contractor cannot offer up this information and strike them off your list of potential hires. Also, make sure that you contact the references provided to get reviews on the quality of the contractor's services and their trustworthiness.

You can also get additional reviews and testimonials or look up the complaint history, if any, on general contractors in Nashville from platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google Review or by contacting the TDCI's Board for Licensing Contractors at (615) 532-3996 and (800) 544-7693.

What Is the Expected Timeline for This Project?

One benefit of hiring experienced Nashville general contractors is that they can help you come up with a clear and appropriate timeline for your construction or home remodeling project. Having a proper project timeline enables you to adequately plan for forthcoming occasions and events like birthdays, weddings, relocations, retirements, and visits from family and friends. Other benefits of having a proper project timeline include:

• It makes it easier to allocate and execute tasks
• It makes it easier to monitor the project's progress
• It increases work efficiency
• It improves cost control and resource allocation
• It improves communication and reduces misunderstandings between relevant parties
• It makes it easier to identify and prevent potential project delays

Bear in mind that certain factors may affect the timeline and completion date of your project, such as:

• The exact nature and scope of the project
• The time of the year and prevalent weather conditions
• Required permits, inspections, and other mandatory regulatory obligations
• Availability of materials, supplies, laborers, subcontractors, and other necessary resources
• Changes to the project's original scope