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Starting a remodeling or general contracting business in Kentucky

Kentucky has no state license for general contractors or remodelers. What you do carry is everybody else: the licensed trades you hire, the subs you pay, and the workers' comp of any sub who doesn't have it.

Kentucky Contractor Packet

The rules where you work $17

A first 30 days checklist, everyday forms, licenses, workers’ comp and taxes for Kentucky, with a yearly calendar. Instant PDF download.

Buy the packet: $17

Digital product, all sales final. Informational only, not legal, financial, tax or business advice.

No state license. Your subs need theirs.

Kentucky doesn't license general contracting or remodeling at the state level. Your plumbing, HVAC and electrical subs need their state licenses, and the work has to be done by them. On a remodel, that's most of the rough-in.

Licensing for you happens locally. Louisville Metro and Lexington-Fayette run their own contractor licensing or registration, and permits come from the city or county building department. Check each place you work before you bid.

Source: Kentucky DHBC, licensed trades · Louisville Metro · Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

An uninsured sub lands on your policy

In Kentucky, a contractor who subs out work is liable for comp to the sub's employees unless the sub has secured coverage. The claim comes to you first. Get a certificate of insurance from every sub before they start, and keep it current.

The lien rules matter more to you than to anybody. Your subs and suppliers can lien the owner's house if you don't pay them, and on an owner-occupied home they have 75 days to send notice. Pay your subs from the draw that covers their work, every time.

Source: KRS 342.610, contractor liability · KRS 376.010, liens and notice

Older homes: the lead rule

Remodeling a home built before 1978 means the EPA's lead-safe rule (RRP) applies: EPA firm certification for the business and a certified renovator on the job. Kentucky's lead program says RRP is run by the federal EPA.

Source: EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting program

What it takes to open the doors

Put in what each of these will really cost you. Leave out what you already own. The total tells you how many days of work it takes to pay for the start, at your floor rate.

Total to open the doors$0

Work out your floor rate and it loads here.

The rest is the same for every trade in Kentucky

Workers’ compOne employee and you're in Getting paid and liensGetting paid: notice, six months, twelve months Sales tax on materialsYou pay at the counter, whatever the contract says LLC and taxesLLC, sole proprietor, or S-corp?

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Every price you send starts from your floor rate. Proposals, change orders, invoices and receipts go out on your own letterhead, the customer signs and pays online, and every job closes out showing what it actually made.

See how it works What’s in the $99 bundle

Education, not legal or tax advice. Rules change. Confirm anything here with the agency or a licensed pro in Kentucky before you rely on it. Last checked November 2026.