Knowing how to hire a general contractor in Memphis, TN separates homeowners who finish on time and on budget from those who don’t.
If you need to hire a general contractor in Memphis, TN, the stakes are real. A licensed, bonded contractor delivers your project on schedule, on budget, and to code. An unlicensed one can leave you with failed inspections, voided insurance, and thousands of dollars in remediation costs. Memphis has no shortage of contractors, but not all of them are qualified to hold the keys to your project.
This guide cuts through the noise. We cover what to verify before you sign anything, what questions to ask, what red flags to walk away from, and exactly what a legitimate general contractor in Shelby County is required to carry. Follow these steps and you protect your investment from day one.
Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC is a licensed Tennessee general contractor serving Memphis and the surrounding Shelby County area. We build residential, commercial, and industrial projects ground-up and manage insurance claims contracting from start to finish. Everything in this guide reflects how we operate and what we hold every subcontractor we bring onto a job to.
In This Article
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee requires a contractor’s license for any project valued at $25,000 or more. Verify the license number on the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website before any conversation goes further.
- A legitimate general contractor in Memphis, TN carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Ask for certificates of insurance naming you as an additional insured.
- Shelby County requires permits for structural work, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Any contractor who tells you permits are optional is a liability, not a partner.
- Your contract must spell out scope, schedule, payment milestones, change order procedures, and lien waiver terms. Verbal agreements are worth nothing in Tennessee courts.
- Three bids is the minimum. The lowest bid is rarely the best one. Review what each bid includes and excludes before making any decision.
Tennessee GC License Requirements
Tennessee law is direct on this point. Any contractor performing work valued at $25,000 or more must hold a valid state contractor’s license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. That threshold includes both labor and materials. If your project hits that number, an unlicensed contractor is operating illegally, and you are exposed.
The Tennessee contractor license number is a matter of public record. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance maintains a searchable database at tn.gov. Plug in the contractor’s name or license number and confirm the license is active, not expired, and not under disciplinary action. This takes two minutes. Do it before you schedule a site visit.
The Difference Between Licensed and Bonded
A license confirms the contractor met the state’s testing and experience requirements. Bonding is a separate financial instrument. A contractor’s surety bond protects you if the contractor fails to complete the work or causes damage. These are not the same thing, and one does not substitute for the other. Require both.
Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC holds Tennessee GC License #77821 and carries bonding capacity up to $3 million. Both are available for verification on request before we ever step onto your property.
Bonding and Insurance: What You Need to See
A general contractor who cannot produce current certificates of insurance on the spot is telling you something important. Do not ignore it. Two policies are non-negotiable: general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
General liability protects you if the contractor or their crew damages your property during construction. Workers’ compensation protects you if a worker is injured on your job site. Without workers’ comp, an injured worker can file a claim against your homeowner’s policy. That is a real exposure that Memphis homeowners regularly absorb without realizing it until it is too late.
Request Additional Insured Status
Ask to be added as an additional insured on the contractor’s general liability policy. This means the policy covers you directly in the event of a claim arising from work performed on your property. A reputable contractor has no reason to refuse this request. It is standard practice on any professionally managed project.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire a General Contractor in Memphis, TN
The pre-hire conversation reveals more than any portfolio. Ask every contractor the same set of questions, listen for specifics, and watch for deflection. Vague answers to direct questions are a pattern, not a one-off.
Start with these: How long have you been operating in Shelby County? Who pulls the permits on your projects? Do you use employees or subcontractors, and how do you vet them? What is your process when something changes mid-project? Can you provide three recent references with contact information?
Why References Still Matter
Online reviews tell part of the story. A direct phone call to a past client tells the rest. Ask references whether the project finished on time, whether the final cost matched the contract, and whether they would hire this contractor again without hesitation. A contractor confident in their work has no problem handing you a reference list.
Red Flags That Should End the Conversation
Some warning signs are deal-breakers. No amount of a low price or friendly conversation overrides them. Walk away from any contractor who exhibits the following.
Demanding a large upfront cash payment before any work begins is the single most common pattern in contractor fraud. Tennessee law limits upfront deposits. A contractor who pressures you for 50% or more before mobilizing is a red flag. Similarly, any contractor who asks you to pull the permits yourself is shifting legal liability onto you. The contractor of record is responsible for permits. That is not your job.
No Written Contract Is a Non-Starter
If a contractor proposes a handshake deal or a one-paragraph email as your agreement, decline immediately. Every legitimate construction project in Tennessee operates under a written contract. The contract is not a formality. It is the legal document that defines what you paid for, when you will get it, and what happens if you do not. There is no substitute.
Shelby County Permits and What They Actually Cover
Permits exist to protect homeowners. They trigger inspections at critical stages of construction, confirming that structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work meets Tennessee building code. Unpermitted work creates real problems when you sell the home, file an insurance claim, or need a refinance appraisal.
In Shelby County, permits are required for new construction, additions, structural alterations, electrical upgrades, plumbing work, and HVAC installations. The City of Memphis Office of Construction Code Enforcement processes permits for projects within city limits. Unincorporated Shelby County falls under a separate jurisdiction.
Who Is Responsible for Pulling Permits
The general contractor of record pulls the permits. Period. This is a legal responsibility, not a preference. A contractor who tells you permits are optional, too slow, or unnecessary for your project type is either uninformed or dishonest. Either outcome disqualifies them.
What Your Contract Must Include
A construction contract that protects you covers six areas without exception: scope of work, project schedule, payment schedule tied to milestones, change order procedures, dispute resolution terms, and lien waiver provisions.
The scope of work defines exactly what is being built or renovated, including specifications for materials and finishes. The payment schedule should release funds against completed milestones, not arbitrary calendar dates. Change orders must be documented in writing and signed by both parties before any additional work begins. Verbal change approvals are the source of most residential construction disputes in Tennessee.
Lien Waivers Protect Your Title
A mechanics lien allows unpaid subcontractors and suppliers to file a claim against your property title even when you paid the general contractor in full. Require conditional lien waivers from the GC and all major subcontractors at each payment milestone. A final unconditional lien waiver from every party on final payment closes that exposure entirely. Do not skip this step.
Ready to Hire a General Contractor in Memphis, TN?
Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC is licensed, bonded, and built for Memphis. Let’s talk about your project.
Lawrence and Lawrence GC Services
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Residential Construction Custom ground-up builds, additions, and full residential renovations across Memphis and Shelby County. |
Commercial Construction Office build-outs, mixed-use construction, and commercial renovation projects managed from permit to punch list. |
Industrial Construction Heavy-duty industrial builds and facility work requiring licensed coordination across trades and disciplines. |
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Insurance Claims Contracting Licensed GC coordination for insurance-driven repairs and rebuilds. We work directly with adjusters to move your claim forward. |
Licensed in Tennessee TN GC License #77821. Bonding capacity up to $3 million. SAM registered for government contracting. |
Contact Lawrence GC Memphis, TN based. Available by phone and WhatsApp. Call or text 901-750-1000 to discuss your project. |
Permits, licensing, and accountability on every project. Lawrence and Lawrence GC, Memphis, TN — lawrenceandlawrencegc.com
Why Memphis Homeowners Choose Lawrence and Lawrence GC
When you hire a general contractor in Memphis, TN, you are choosing someone to manage your money, your property, and your timeline simultaneously. That is a significant decision. Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC brings the credentials, the license, and the track record to back it up.
Our license number is public. Our bonding is verifiable. We pull permits on every project that requires them, we carry the insurance we ask you to require of every contractor you consider, and we put everything in writing before a single shovel hits the ground. Additionally, our team includes professional oversight with over 21 years of complex project management experience spanning residential, commercial, and infrastructure work.
Memphis deserves licensed, accountable construction. That is what we deliver on every job, regardless of size. Call us at 901-750-1000 or reach out through our website to start the conversation.
Article Summary
To hire a general contractor in Memphis, TN, verify the state license on the TDCI database, confirm bonding and current insurance certificates, review a written contract covering scope and payment milestones, and confirm the contractor pulls all required Shelby County permits. Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC meets every standard outlined in this article and is available to discuss your project at 901-750-1000 or at lawrenceandlawrencegc.com.
Let’s Build Something That Lasts
Lawrence and Lawrence General Contractors, LLC. Licensed. Bonded. Memphis built. Call or text to schedule your consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee require a license to hire a general contractor?
Tennessee requires a contractor’s license for any project valued at $25,000 or more, including labor and materials. Below that threshold, licensing requirements vary by trade. However, hiring a licensed general contractor on any project protects you legally and financially regardless of project value. Always verify the license is active through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance before signing a contract.
Shelby County permits: who is responsible for pulling them?
The general contractor of record is responsible for pulling permits in Shelby County. This is a legal obligation, not a preference. Structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC all require permits in Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County. A homeowner who pulls their own permits on behalf of a contractor assumes the legal liability for the work. Do not accept that arrangement.
Three bids received: is the cheapest one the right choice?
Not necessarily. The lowest bid often reflects missing scope, underpriced labor, or a plan to recover costs through change orders once the contract is signed. Review each bid line by line. Confirm what materials and specifications are included. A bid that is 20% below the others deserves a direct explanation. If the contractor cannot provide one, the low price is the warning, not the value.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Memphis?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Tennessee creates significant legal and financial exposure for you as the property owner. Unpermitted work may be required to be demolished and rebuilt at your expense. Your homeowner’s insurance can deny claims for damage related to unlicensed work. Additionally, title issues can arise when you sell the property if unpermitted construction is discovered during the buyer’s inspection or title search.
Before signing: what should every construction contract include?
Every construction contract should include a detailed scope of work, project start and completion dates, a payment schedule tied to construction milestones, a written change order process requiring both party signatures, dispute resolution terms, and lien waiver provisions. Contracts that lack any of these elements expose you to disputes that Tennessee courts will not resolve in your favor without written documentation.
