How to Choose a General Contractor in Portland, Gallatin, or Hendersonville, TN

Quick answer: To choose a general contractor in Portland, Gallatin, or Hendersonville, verify their Tennessee contractor license on the state's website, ask for a certificate of insurance, call two recent references, look at photos of their own work, and get a written, itemized estimate. A good contractor will make every one of those steps easy.

Hiring someone to work on your home is a big decision. It's your biggest investment, and it's where your family lives. Most homeowners only hire a contractor a few times in their lives, so it's normal not to know what to look for.

I’m Cory Falkner, owner of Brown Dog Builders. I bring 30+ years of building and remodeling experience, including my work in California, and am now a Tennessee-licensed general contractor serving Portland, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and surrounding communities.

In California, my company was Falkner Construction. Our residential projects ranged from gut remodels, additions, and new kitchens and baths to custom woodwork—including mantels, ceilings, and wainscoting—outdoor entertaining areas, and just about everything in between.

Falkner Construction also routinely took on commercial projects for retail spaces, warehouses, and clean-tech facilities that required sterile environments.

Here’s the checklist I’d use when choosing someone to work on a home.

1. Verify the Tennessee contractor license yourself

For a prime contractor, Tennessee requires a contractor’s license before bidding or negotiating a project totaling $25,000 or more, including labor and materials. Check the state’s Verify a License database for three things:

• The license is active, not expired.
• The classification covers your type of work. BC-A is residential, while BC-B is commercial; confirm the actual classification and any restrictions on the license.
• The monetary limit is at least as large as your project.

Don't take a business card's word for it. Check. If a contractor gets defensive when you ask for a license number, you have your answer.

One local detail: for a property in Robertson County, a Home Improvement license generally applies to qualifying residential work from $3,000 to less than $25,000 for a contractor without an applicable contractor’s license. Sumner County is not on the state’s adopted-county list. Trade licensing, local requirements, and permits can still apply below $25,000. Check the property’s jurisdiction.

2. Ask for proof of insurance

I carry general liability insurance. When we talk through your project, ask for a current certificate so you can review the coverage before work begins.

Ask the insurance agent for a current certificate showing general liability coverage and applicable workers’ compensation coverage or exemption. Confirm the policy fits the work. A certificate is evidence of coverage, not a guarantee that a particular claim will be covered.

Have the insurance agent send the certificate directly and answer any coverage questions before work begins.

3. Look at their actual work

Ask for photos of projects they personally completed, ideally ones similar to yours. Where the work was built matters less than how it was built. Better yet, look for in-progress photos. Finished rooms all look nice. In-progress photos show you framing, waterproofing behind tile, and how clean the job site is, which is where quality really lives.

Read their online reviews if they have them, including how the owner responds to the less-than-perfect ones. For a contractor who is new to the area, references from past clients matter even more.

4. Call two references, and ask better questions

Don’t just ask “Were you happy?” Ask:

• Did they finish when they said they would? If not, did they tell you why before it became a problem?
• Did the final price match the estimate? How were changes handled?
• How did they communicate during the job?
• Would you hire them again for something bigger?

5. Get a written, itemized estimate

A one-line quote ("Bathroom remodel: $28,000") isn't an estimate. It's a guess with a number on it. A reliable estimate spells out the scope of work, allowances for finishes, what's excluded, the timeline, and how changes are priced. We cover this in detail in What Makes a Contractor Estimate Reliable? Read the guide ↗

6. Ask who pulls the permits

Ask who will obtain each permit and verify that arrangement with the building department for your address. A request to use an owner permit to avoid licensing or inspections is a warning sign. Requirements and lawful owner-builder exceptions vary by jurisdiction.

7. Pay attention to how they communicate before you hire them

How a contractor treats you before you sign is the best preview of how they'll treat you after. Did they return your call? Show up on time for the walkthrough? Explain things in plain English? Ask about your schedule, pets, and how you use the space?

You'll be working with this person for weeks or months. Trust, responsiveness, and clarity matter as much as price.

The quick checklist

• Active Tennessee license, right classification and limit
• Certificate of insurance in hand
• Photos of their own work, including in-progress shots
• Two references called
• Written, itemized estimate with scope, allowances, and exclusions
• Contractor pulls the permits
• Communication you're comfortable with

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Tennessee?

Use the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Verify a License tool. Search by name or license number and confirm the license is active and covers your project size.

Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job in Sumner County?

The state prime-contractor threshold is $25,000. Sumner County is not on the state Home Improvement adopted-county list, but trade licenses, local rules, and permits may still apply to smaller jobs. Check with the local building department.

How many estimates should I get?

Two or three is plenty. Compare them on scope and allowances, not just the bottom line. The lowest number often leaves things out.

What areas does Brown Dog Builders serve?

We serve Portland, Gallatin, Hendersonville, and surrounding Tennessee communities. Share your project location when reaching out.