Tennessee Reconstructs Construction Statutes

Construction cranes in a skyline

Yesterday, Tennessee passed the Construction Industry Payment Protection Act (CIPPA) (SB2681/HB2706), which brings broad amendments to Tennessee’s lien laws, the Truth in Construction Act, the Prompt Pay Act, and Construction Defect statutes. Despite a shortened session that focused primarily on the budget and COVID-19 related bills, the legislature took time to pass amendments sought by a unified coalition across the … Read More

FREE TRAINING AT SAFETYFEST TN 2019

Want to learn more about safety?  Attend SafetyFest Tennessee 2019 a free health and safety training held April 29 – May 3, 2019 in Oak Ridge and Knoxville, Tennessee.  SafetyFest is a combined effort of federal, state, and local agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote safety and health at work, home, and in the community.  The primary goal of SafetyFest is … Read More

LT Knoxville Construction Law Seminar 2018

This year our seminar is titled Construction: On And Off The Field, and will be held in Knoxville on August 17th at the Fox Den Country Club.  This seminar is aimed at offering practical advice for all parties involved in the construction business from a legal viewpoint. All that concerns the legal aspects of the business is filed in this title … Read More

Getting Paid on Tennessee Public Projects: the “Little Miller Act”

Like many states, Tennessee law requires that a contractor performing work on a state or local project having a contract price of $100,000 or more to post a bond to secure the contractor’s payment for all the labor and materials used by the contractor, or any immediate or remote subcontractor under the contractor. T.C.A. §12-4-201. The purpose of the bond … Read More

Tennessee Contractor License Legislative Update

Tennessee contractors should be aware of a couple of upcoming changes to the Tennessee contractor license laws. House Bill 0906 / Senate Bill 0355 passed unanimously yesterday. Audited and Attested Financial Statements Currently, an applicant requesting a Tennessee contractor license with monetary limits of $1.5 million or greater is required to submit financial statements that are audited and attested to by … Read More

Contracting in Tennessee – 5 Simple Tips

It never ceases to amaze how contractors, particularly those based out of state, run afoul of Tennessee laws. As 2017 progresses, here are few laws that should be kept in mind. Are You Licensed? – A Contractor’s license is required prior to contracting. In Tennessee, “contracting” includes bidding, offering to engage, or negotiating a price for projects of $25,000 or … Read More

Executive Order Creates Temporary License Exam Waiver

In response to the recent wildfires that swept through Gatlinburg and surrounding areas in east Tennessee, Governor Haslam issued Executive Order No. 61.  The Order permits a temporary contractor’s license to be issued to provide for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public.  Qualified contractors may apply for an examination waiver for a temporary six (6) … Read More

Contractors, did you know . . . ?

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors has statutory authority to impose civil penalties for violations of statutes, rules, or orders enforceable by the Board.  Orders of the Board are often based on a finding of misconduct.  Did you know that failure to abide by a warranty agreement is an enumerated form of misconduct.  So is the failure to respond to … Read More

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR: State to Pilot “Expertise Based” Procurement

On August 15, the State of Tennessee Real Estate Asset Management Division (STREAM) held a educational session on a new expertise-based procurement approach it intends to pilot on select future projects within the Capital Projects Group. The presentation was led by John Savicky, with the Arizona State University Performance Based Studies Research Group. In contrast to traditional competitive bidding, the … Read More