Tennessee Home Improvement Contractor Bond
$100 – Instant Issue, No Credit Check Required
Term Options
Renew less often, save time and money by choosing a longer bond term!
Additional term options available below under Additional Information & Shipping.
General Information
The Tennessee home improvement contractor bond is a $10,000 surety bond required by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors before a home improvement license will be issued. The bond is required for contractors performing residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $24,999 in nine Tennessee counties. Pricing starts at $100 for a 1-year term with multi-year discounts available — no application or credit check required, and your bond is emailed instantly after purchase.
Who Needs a Tennessee Home Improvement Contractor Bond?
Under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62, Chapter 6, Section 506, a $10,000 surety bond is required for any individual or business entity applying for a Tennessee home improvement license. The home improvement license — and therefore the bond — is currently required in nine Tennessee counties:
- Bradley County
- Davidson County (Nashville)
- Hamilton County (Chattanooga)
- Haywood County
- Knox County (Knoxville)
- Marion County
- Robertson County
- Rutherford County (Murfreesboro)
- Shelby County (Memphis)
The requirement applies the same way whether you operate as a sole proprietor, an LLC, or a corporation. Four of the nine counties cover Tennessee's largest metro markets — Davidson County (Nashville), Shelby County (Memphis), Knox County (Knoxville), and Hamilton County (Chattanooga) — and account for most licensed home improvement contractors in the state.
The other five are smaller but carry the identical requirement. Rutherford County covers Murfreesboro, Robertson County covers Springfield, Bradley County covers Cleveland, Marion County covers Jasper, and Haywood County covers Brownsville. If your remodeling project sits in any of these nine counties and costs between $3,000 and $24,999, you need a Tennessee home improvement license and a $10,000 surety bond.
What if I work in a county that isn't listed? If your project is located in a Tennessee county other than the nine listed above — for example Williamson, Sumner, Montgomery, Wilson, Sevier, or Blount County — you are not required to hold a Tennessee home improvement license or file a $10,000 bond for projects under $25,000. Many contractors in those counties still choose to obtain the license and bond voluntarily, since homeowners tend to prefer working with licensed and bonded contractors, and being bonded can be a meaningful competitive advantage when bidding residential work.
Regardless of county, the Tennessee home improvement license applies only to residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $24,999. Projects costing $25,000 or more require a full Tennessee contractor license, which is a separate licensing path with different requirements. Projects costing $3,000 or less do not require a home improvement license at all.
Why Do I Need a Tennessee Home Improvement Contractor Bond?
The Tennessee home improvement contractor bond — also known as a Tennessee contractor license bond, Tennessee HI license bond, TN home improvement bond, or Tennessee home improvement license bond — is required by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Board for Licensing Contractors as a condition of licensure. The bond demonstrates financial responsibility and guarantees that the licensed home improvement contractor will comply with all applicable Tennessee laws and regulations governing residential remodeling work.
The Tennessee home improvement bond protects homeowners and consumers from financial harm caused by contractor fraud, abandonment of a project, failure to perform contracted work, or violation of Tennessee licensing regulations. If a valid claim is filed against the bond, the surety will pay the claimant up to the full $10,000 bond amount. The licensed contractor is then responsible for reimbursing the surety in full.
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors defines home improvement as repairing, replacing, remodeling, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or adding to any residential land or building. This includes driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, landscaping, fences, roofing, painting, and similar structures and improvements. The bond is continuous in nature and must remain active for the entire period your home improvement license is active.
Fast & Simple TN Home Improvement Bond Solutions – No Application or Credit Check Required
- Instant issue — no application or credit check required
- Tennessee home improvement contractor bond emailed immediately after purchase
- Accepted by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors
- 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year terms available — save with a multi-year term
- Available to contractors in Davidson, Shelby, Knox, Hamilton, Rutherford, and all other required counties
Tennessee Home Improvement Contractor Bond Pricing – Starting at $100
Save with a multi-year term. All Tennessee home improvement contractor bonds are instant issue with no application or credit check required.
| Bond Amount | Term | Price | Credit Check | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 1 Year | $100 | No | Buy Now |
| $10,000 | 2 Years | $175 | No | Buy Now |
| $10,000 | 3 Years | $250 | No | Buy Now |
The name on the bond must match your name exactly as it appears with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. For a corporation or LLC, use the name as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
Purchase Now
How To Get a Tennessee Home Improvement License
Tennessee home improvement licenses are issued by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, Board for Licensing Contractors. Unlike the full Tennessee contractor license, the home improvement license does not require a trade exam. Below are the steps to get licensed.
- Confirm you need a home improvement license. The Tennessee home improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $24,999 in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby counties. Projects of $25,000 or more require a full Tennessee contractor license instead.
- Purchase your $10,000 Tennessee home improvement contractor bond. The bond must be issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Tennessee and submitted on the official form provided by the Board. BondAbility issues Tennessee home improvement bonds instantly — no application or credit check required — starting at $100 for a 1-year term.
- Obtain general liability insurance. Applicants must provide proof of general liability insurance as part of the license application.
- Complete the license application. Submit your completed Tennessee home improvement license application to the Board for Licensing Contractors along with your $10,000 surety bond, proof of insurance, and all supporting documentation.
- Pay the application fee. A $250 application fee is required when submitting your Tennessee home improvement license application.
- Maintain your bond continuously. Your Tennessee home improvement contractor bond must remain active on file with the Board for as long as your license is active. Renew your bond before it expires to avoid a lapse in licensure.
Bond Details at a Glance
- Bond Name: Tennessee Home Improvement Contractor License Bond
- Bond Amount: $10,000
- Price: $100 (1 year) / $175 (2 years) / $250 (3 years)
- Credit Check: Not required
- Obligee: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Department of Commerce & Insurance
- Obligee Address: 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243
- Governing Statute: Tennessee Code Annotated Title 62, Chapter 6, Section 506
- Project Range Covered: $3,000 – $24,999
- Counties Requiring License: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby
- Delivery: Emailed instantly after purchase
- Renewal: Bond must remain continuously active while license is active
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a Tennessee home improvement contractor bond?
Any individual or business performing residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $24,999 in Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, or Shelby County must obtain a Tennessee home improvement license and file a $10,000 surety bond with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
How much does a Tennessee home improvement contractor bond cost?
The $10,000 Tennessee home improvement contractor bond costs $100 for a 1-year term, $175 for 2 years, or $250 for 3 years. No application or credit check is required and the bond is emailed instantly after purchase.
Which Tennessee counties require a home improvement license?
Nine Tennessee counties currently require a home improvement license: Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, and Shelby. Contractors in other Tennessee counties are not required to be licensed but may still choose to obtain the license and bond voluntarily.
Do I need a Tennessee home improvement license if my county is not on the list?
No. If your project is located in a Tennessee county other than Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford, or Shelby, you are not required to hold a Tennessee home improvement license or file a $10,000 surety bond for projects costing under $25,000. Counties such as Williamson, Sumner, Montgomery, Wilson, Sevier, and Blount do not currently require the license. Contractors in those counties may still obtain the license and bond voluntarily.
Is the $10,000 the amount I have to pay?
No. The $10,000 is the bond amount — the coverage guaranteed to the State of Tennessee on your behalf. What you pay is the premium: $100 for a 1-year term, $175 for 2 years, or $250 for 3 years.
Is a credit check required?
No. BondAbility issues the Tennessee home improvement contractor bond instantly with no application and no credit check required for any term length.
What is the difference between a Tennessee home improvement license and a contractor license?
A Tennessee home improvement license covers residential remodeling projects costing between $3,000 and $24,999 and requires a $10,000 surety bond but no trade exam. Projects costing $25,000 or more require a full Tennessee contractor license, which uses financial statements rather than a bond and requires passing trade and business law exams.
How quickly will I receive my bond?
Your Tennessee home improvement contractor bond is emailed to you within minutes of purchase.
How long does the bond last?
The bond is continuous and must remain active for the entire period your Tennessee home improvement license is active. BondAbility offers 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year terms with multi-year discounts available.
What work is covered under a Tennessee home improvement license?
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors defines home improvement as repairing, replacing, remodeling, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or adding to any residential land or building — including driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, landscaping, fences, roofing, and painting.
What name should appear on my bond?
The name on your Tennessee home improvement contractor bond must match your name exactly as it appears with the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. If you are bonding a corporation or LLC, use the entity name exactly as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State.
What happens if a claim is filed against my bond?
If a homeowner or the State of Tennessee files a valid claim — such as for fraud, project abandonment, or failure to perform contracted work — the surety will pay the claim up to the $10,000 bond amount. The licensed contractor is then responsible for reimbursing the surety in full.