Question about starting home improvement business (Knoxville: insurance, homes, unemployed)

[farmgirl931]

My Husband is starting his own home improvmenet buiness. His prefered type of work is Roofing, and framing. We have not yet purchased any insurance. We have our business license and he has bid on a roofing job, can we get in trouble for not obtaining any insurance as of yet? Are their codes or inspections require for tearing off a shingled roof and replacing it? Neither one of us are from TN originally so we are not sure what the requirements are. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Jon F Moss]

you should check out the Tennessee Board for Licesning Contractors for complete info. Seems to be different rules depending on what county you're doing the work in so you may want to call the state government office that pertains to what you'll be doing.

Some don't require a license for jobs under $25,000 whereas others require Limited Contractor Licenses for jobs as little as $3,000.

[Bones]

You have a contractor license ?

"Complete the contractor license application and attach exam scores, financial statement, reference, proof of insurance and mail to the Board office, by the deadline date of the next Board meeting , with the $250.00 fee; "

[Dave_n_Tenn]

By the type of "home improvement" you suggest, framing and roofing, ya'll probably be better off in a young/growing area. Not to many of us retirees/older folk will need framing or add-ons. Possibly a new roof... but I'd focus on youthful area's that have young ppl out-growing their homes and need to add-on.

[pdq]

You might still do well in Middle TN. They are still building there. East TN has slowed to a crawl. Permits down 35-50% in several metro Knoxville counties. There are a lot of unemployed local construction workers competing for your same jobs. NC is still booming, especially around Raleigh.

As far as code for roofing, some cities may have inspections for a re-roof but I've never heard of it anywhere in TN. Dave is right, retireed folks don't want to mess with their homes much, just routine maintenance. Good luck to you.