Construction Law

How to Protect Your License and Your Livelihood featured image

How to Protect Your License and Your Livelihood

As a contractor, you understand the value of your license. Without one, your options for work are limited and your potential for growth is capped at an extremely low level. If a licensing complaint is filed against you with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, you could be hit with staggering fines and stripped of your license, and thus your ability to work on lucrative projects.

At Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, we’ve made it our mission to provide contractors in Tennessee with unparalleled legal services, including license defense. When you work with a Nashville license defense attorney, you can rest assured that your rights will be fought for tooth and nail. Trust in our attorneys to protect your license and your livelihood, so you can continue serving our great construction industry.

Understand the Common Causes of License Complaints

In order for a license complaint to proceed, the individual submitting the complaint must be able to prove that you violated a specific licensing provision. The most common causes of such complaints include:

  • Failure to Produce a Valid License or Permit: there are many types of Tennessee contractors licenses, and contractors must be able to produce the correct one when called upon to do so. Unlicensed work can lead to steep penalties. Obtaining the proper permits is also crucial.
  • Misallocation of Funds: contractors have a responsibility to utilize funds as they were intended. Misallocated funds can lead to significant fines and criminal charges. If you misallocate funds, you can count on a complaint against your license.
  • Project Abandonment: you are contractually obligated to complete the project you have been hired to build. If you are, for whatever reason, unable to complete a project, you should consult a Nashville license defense lawyer before project abandonment results in a license revocation.
  • Fraud: fraud can occur for a number of reasons, from submitting an inaccurate or misleading bid proposal to lying about material sourcing or intentionally withholding information about criminal history. This is a dangerous game, and if you’re caught, you can kiss your license goodbye.
  • Negligence: design errors, inspection mistakes, building follies, or lackluster supervision can result in a negligence complaint and a license revocation.
  • Injuries and Property Damage: when poor project site management leads to a worker or bystander suffering an injury to themselves or their property, it could have a negative impact on the status of your license.

Follow Tennessee Licensing Requirements

In the State of Tennessee, any contractor who is contracted directly by the owner must have a license if the cost of the project is valued at or exceeding $25,000. Subcontractors that provide plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or mechanical work are also required to be licensed if the project is valued at $25,000 or more. The same rule applies to masonry subcontractors, except the value of the project must be $100,000 or more. There are some exemptions to these requirements. Consult a Nashville license defense attorney for more information.

If you would like to speak with a Nashville license defense lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.