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Starting a roofing business in Kentucky

Kentucky has no statewide roofing license today, but a 2026 bill would have created one, and Louisville and Lexington already have their own rules. The bigger risk on a roof isn't the paperwork. It's the fall.

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 yet. Watch for one.

There is no statewide roofing contractor license in Kentucky right now. In the 2026 session, House Bill 150 would have had the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction license roofing contractors. The official record shows it introduced and sent to committee. Check its status before you rely on this.

Locally, Louisville Metro and Lexington-Fayette have their own contractor rules, and most cities want a permit for a roof. Call before you bid.

Source: Kentucky General Assembly, HB 150 (2026) · Louisville Metro · Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Fall protection is the cost you can't skip

OSHA requires fall protection in construction, and roofing is where it gets enforced. Harnesses, anchors and training for you and anybody you bring on. Budget for it on day one.

Comp matters here too. Roofing class codes are some of the most expensive there are, and in Kentucky comp is mandatory at one employee. An uninsured sub's injury can land on your policy. Get the quote before you hire.

Source: OSHA, fall protection · KRS 342.630, coverage of employers

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.