Fix the Home Improvement Contractors License!

In a time with 40-year high inflation and 20-year high mortgage rates, many people and families cannot afford to buy a new home. Here in Tennessee, the problem is even worse as Tennessee had the 4th highest increase in home prices in the nation. 

As a result, some may look to renovate or remodel a kitchen or other portion of their current home to better fit their needs until they can afford a new home. But finding someone to do the remodeling is becoming more difficult due to arbitrary government restrictions. 

Tennessee has varying types of licenses for these projects that are differentiated by the project price: Home improvement contractors, limited licensed electricians, and limited licensed plumbers are limited to projects up to $24,999, while the general contractor, who generally focuses on building new homes and other larger projects can do projects from $25,000 and up.

With the increased price of construction materials and costs associated with home renovation and other smaller projects, the size of a project that a home improvement contractor or limited electricians and plumbers can assist with has become substantially smaller. Homeowners are forced to bring in general contractors who are in short supply to do work that another qualified professional could have done. This arbitrary government restriction should at least be adjusted for today’s prices as inflation continues to soar.  

Email your lawmakers to show your support for making it easier to repair or remodel your home!