General Contractor in Memphis

June 14, 2026

A general contractor manages the trades, permits, scheduling, and budget that move a construction project from drawings to a finished building, and in Memphis that work spans a market defined by deep stock of historic homes and a steady commercial and industrial base. Hiring a local firm rather than a distant one gives a Memphis homeowner or business a contractor who understands Shelby County permitting, the city’s older housing inventory, and the climate and soil conditions of the Mid-South. A general contractor in Memphis commonly handles custom homes, additions, whole-house renovations, kitchen and bath remodels, tornado shelters, and commercial build-outs, serving as the single accountable party who coordinates subcontractors and inspections.

Memphis is Tennessee’s second-largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), anchoring a metro that stretches across the Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas borders. The city’s housing stock includes a large share of mid-century and older homes in established neighborhoods such as Midtown, Central Gardens, and East Memphis, which keeps demand strong for renovation, additions, and historic restoration alongside new custom construction in the eastern suburbs. Statewide, Tennessee ranks among the leading states for residential housing starts, with roughly 35,000 new units permitted in 2023 (U.S. Census Bureau), and Memphis contributes both residential remodeling volume and a substantial commercial and warehouse construction sector tied to its role as a national logistics hub.

Tennessee regulates contractors through the Board for Licensing Contractors, and the governing threshold is the value of the work. Any project of $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials requires a state contractor license, issued in classifications such as BC for building construction, with a monetary limit set for each licensee. Residential work valued between $3,000 and $25,000 falls under the separate Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies in nine Tennessee counties, including Shelby, so most Memphis remodels in that price range require the HI license. Contractors collect Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus the local option tax on taxable materials; in Shelby County the combined rate reaches 9.75%, among the highest in the state. A homeowner can verify any license through the Board for Licensing Contractors at tn.gov and confirm a firm’s registration through the Tennessee Secretary of State.

Two statutes shape the contractor relationship in Memphis. The Tennessee mechanics’ lien law (TCA 66-11-145) gives a contractor 90 days from completion of the work to file a lien against the property, which makes it sensible to tie payment draws to verified progress and to collect lien waivers as work is paid. The Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs, addresses deceptive trade practices and provides a complaint route for misrepresented work, abandoned projects, or contract disputes. The City of Memphis and Shelby County require permits and inspections for most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, so confirming that a licensed contractor pulls the permit for the work it performs is a basic protection against shifting code liability onto the owner.

Top General Contractor Providers in Memphis

1. Ken Garland Custom Homes

Address: 5050 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2402, Memphis, TN 38157
Phone: (901) 751-1632
Website: https://kengarland.com
Services: custom home building, home renovations (kitchens, bathrooms, additions), tornado shelter construction, residential general contracting
Description: Ken Garland Custom Homes is a Memphis custom home builder and residential general contractor that traces its operation to 1965, making it one of the longest-running firms of its kind in the city. The company is led by Ken Garland Jr. and holds Tennessee General Contractor License number 18651. Its work spans ground-up custom homes, kitchen and bathroom renovations, additions, and tornado shelter construction, and its project history includes homes in communities such as Normandy Park, The Cloisters, Twin Lakes in Piperton, and LaGrange Creek. The firm describes itself as a trusted name among appraisers, architects, decorators, engineers, inspectors, and tradespeople, and it displays multiple Houzz awards and Better Business Bureau recognition.

2. Archer Custom Builders

Address: 431 South Main Street, Suite 301, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 575-3187
Website: https://www.archercustombuilders.com
Services: custom residential construction, commercial construction, multi-family construction, renovations, property development
Description: Archer Custom Builders is a licensed general contracting firm based on South Main Street in downtown Memphis that specializes in custom residential and commercial construction along with multi-family work and property development across Memphis and the Mid-South. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial, and multi-family projects, and the company highlights detailed renovation work including a roughly 5,000-square-foot renovation of a century-old residence. The firm emphasizes attention to detail and presenting clients with construction options informed by its building experience.

3. Heritage Builders

Address: 8569 Cordes Circle, Suite 2, Germantown, TN 38139
Phone: (901) 737-6220
Website: https://hbgdesignbuild.com
Services: design-build remodeling, whole-house remodels, additions, interior and exterior renovations, custom kitchens and baths, new homes, small office remodels, custom cabinets
Description: Heritage Builders, also operating as HBG Design Build, is a design-build remodeler and contractor founded in 2004 by Greg Mitchell and based in Germantown, serving Memphis, Germantown, and surrounding Shelby County communities. Mitchell began building homes in communities around the Memphis area early in his career, and the firm has since completed hundreds of renovation and remodeling projects. Its services include whole-house remodels, additions, interior and exterior renovations, custom kitchens and baths, custom cabinets, new homes, and small office remodels, with a stated focus on creating functional spaces that fit a homeowner’s budget and vision.

Frequently Asked Questions About General Contractor in Memphis

Q: Does a general contractor in Memphis need a state license?

Any construction project of $25,000 or more in combined labor and materials requires a license from the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, issued in classifications such as BC for building construction. Residential remodeling work valued between $3,000 and $25,000 falls under the Home Improvement (HI) license, which applies in Shelby County as one of the nine Tennessee counties where that license class is required. You can verify a contractor’s license at tn.gov before hiring.

Q: How do I check a Memphis contractor’s license and standing?

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors publishes a searchable license database at tn.gov where you can confirm a firm’s license number, classification, monetary limit, and current standing. It is also prudent to confirm the company’s registration through the Tennessee Secretary of State and to request proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance before signing.

Q: Who is responsible for pulling permits in Memphis?

Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work in Memphis requires a permit and inspections through the City of Memphis and Shelby County. A licensed general contractor normally pulls the permit for the work it performs. If a contractor asks the homeowner to pull an owner permit for a job the contractor will carry out, that can shift code and liability responsibility to the owner, so it warrants caution.

Q: How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics’ lien in Tennessee?

Under TCA 66-11-145, a contractor has 90 days from completion of the work to file a mechanics’ lien against the property. Tying payment draws to verified progress and obtaining lien waivers with each payment helps protect a Memphis homeowner against liens from a general contractor or its subcontractors.

Q: What is the sales tax on construction materials in Memphis?

Tennessee charges a 7% state sales tax, and Shelby County’s local option brings the combined rate to 9.75% on taxable materials, one of the highest combined rates in the state. Because the taxation of labor depends on how the contract is structured, ask for an itemized estimate and invoice that separate materials, labor, and tax.

Q: What should I confirm before signing a contract with a Memphis general contractor?

Verify the license and classification at tn.gov, request proof of insurance, and require a written contract that defines the scope of work, a milestone-based payment schedule, the timeline, allowances, and a change-order process. Given the mechanics’ lien framework under TCA 66-11-145, lien waivers tied to payments add protection, and complaints over deceptive practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104).