Bathroom Remodeling in Tennessee

Census estimates put the median build year in Tennessee at 1987; about 10% of homes were built before 1950. Many homes of this age still have their first kitchen or bathroom. Decide early whether you want to move fixtures, since that changes the permit and the scope. Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the company is EPA lead-safe certified.

About 36% of Tennessee's counties are in climate zone 3A (warm, humid), based on the U.S. Department of Energy's county map. In a damp climate, a bathroom exhaust fan that vents outside (not into the attic) helps prevent mold. Check your own county's zone, since conditions differ across the state.

About 68% of homes in Tennessee are single-family houses, and about 67% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners.

Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits or changing walls usually needs a permit; swapping fixtures in place usually does not. In Tennessee, building permits are issued by cities and counties, so the rules depend on where the home is. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

The Board for Licensing Contractors licenses contractors and, in some counties, home improvement contractors. Look up the company's license or registration before you sign.