A lot of home projects get planned over the winter, and good contractors book up early. Before you sign with anyone, it helps to know what Kentucky actually requires and what to ask for. Here's the short version.
— Will Barton
What Kentucky licenses, and what it doesn't
Kentucky doesn't issue a statewide general contractor license. The state licenses specific trades through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Those licenses are required anywhere in the state.
Roofers, painters, remodelers, and general contractors don't hold a state license. They're regulated by the city or county where they work. In Louisville, contractors register with Louisville Metro, and building permits go through Metro.
What that means for you: if someone is doing electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work in your home, ask for their Kentucky license number and look it up. For everything else, ask whether they're registered with Louisville Metro and who will pull the permit.
Ask who pulls the permit
Many projects need a building permit. The contractor doing the work should pull it, not you. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself, or suggests skipping it, treat that as a red flag. If you're not sure whether your project needs a permit, ask the contractor and confirm with Louisville Metro.
Older homes and lead paint
If your home was built before 1978 and the project will disturb painted surfaces, the contractor should be certified under the EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting program. Ask for proof.
Five things to get in writing
A contract with the scope of work, materials, total price, and timeline
A payment schedule tied to completed work, not a large payment up front
A certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, plus workers' compensation if they have employees
The license or registration number, and who pulls the permit
How change orders will be priced and approved
Red flags
Door-to-door offers right after a storm, especially from out-of-state crews
Pressure to sign today
Cash only, or a big deposit before any work starts
No physical address or local references
Reluctance to put anything in writing
Your checklist before signing
Get at least three written bids.
Verify state licenses for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.
Confirm local registration and who pulls the permit.
Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their insurance agent.
Check reviews and ask for two or three recent local references.
Have a project coming up that you'd like covered in a future issue? Reply to this email and tell me about it.
— Will Barton
Sources
Kentucky contractor licensing overview (Levelset): https://levelset.com/blog/kentucky-contractor-licensing-guide
Kentucky contractor licensing by trade: https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/kentucky/
Kentucky general contractor requirements, including Louisville registration: https://contractorlicenserequirements.com/kentucky/general-contractor-license-requirements/