Foundation repair is a big check to write, and it involves work you can't easily see once the dirt goes back. Before you sign, it is worth a few minutes to confirm the company is licensed locally, understand who pulls the permit and know your rights if you sign at the kitchen table. Here is how that works in Bowling Green and Warren County, based on the city's own pages and Kentucky statutes.
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm details with the offices named below.
Does Kentucky license foundation contractors?
Not at the state level. Kentucky has no statewide general-contractor license. The state licenses trades like electrical, plumbing and HVAC, but general contracting, including most foundation work, is regulated locally. That means the rules depend on where the house is.
The Bowling Green–Warren County Contractors Licensing Board
In Bowling Green and Warren County, the Bowling Green–Warren County Contractors Licensing Board requires any general or specialty contractor to be licensed. According to the board, "Any person engaging in the business of a general contractor or a specialty contractor" in Bowling Green–Warren County must hold a license. The license runs 12 months, and applicants provide proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation and unemployment insurance compliance.
The board's distinction is roughly this: a general contractor handles more than two unrelated trades, while a specialty contractor works in a specialized trade. A foundation company could fall in either category depending on what it does, so ask which license it holds.
How do I look up a contractor in Bowling Green?
Homeowners can check a company on the board's Active Contractor Search at bgky.org. Search by company name, and confirm that:
- The company name on the license matches the name on your estimate and contract.
- The license is active, not expired.
- The license type fits the work.
Simple rule: Ask for the company's Bowling Green–Warren County contractor license and look it up before signing.
A license is a baseline, not a measure of quality. It tells you the company has registered and shown the paperwork the board asks for. It does not tell you whether a particular repair plan is right for your house. That is why it pays to pair the license check with two or three itemized written quotes and, for major movement, an independent engineer's report. If a company's name on the truck, the estimate and the license search don't match, ask why before going further. Landlords with rental homes near WKU should run the same check; a rental is still a structure, and the same rules apply.
What about Glasgow, Franklin and other nearby towns?
Outside Warren County, in places such as Glasgow, Franklin, Russellville, Scottsville and Morgantown, licensing is handled locally; ask the city or county building office.
Do I need a permit for foundation repair in Bowling Green?
Bowling Green's Building Division, part of Neighborhood & Community Services, requires a permit to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair or demolish a structure." Foundation repair isn't named on the page, so ask whether your job needs a permit. Structural work usually does, and the contractor normally pulls it. Get the answer in writing on the quote, and be cautious of anyone who tells you a permit is never needed without checking. Permits commonly run $75–$150 nationally; the cost guide lists other typical line items.
Your three-day right to cancel in Kentucky
Many foundation contracts are signed at home after an evaluation. Kentucky's home solicitation sales law (KRS 367.410–.460) lets a buyer cancel a contract signed at home until midnight of the third business day after signing. The seller is required to include a "BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL" notice. There is an exception for emergency repairs. This is general information, not legal advice. If you are unsure whether it applies to your contract, ask the seller to point to the notice, or consult an attorney.
What does Kentucky law say about deceptive practices?
KRS 367.170 declares unlawful "unfair, false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce." The Kentucky Attorney General enforces the consumer protection act. In plain terms, high-pressure claims, misleading statements about what a repair will do or surprise charges are the kinds of issues the law is meant to address. Keep your estimates, contract and any written promises, since documents are what matter if a dispute comes up.
Questions to ask before you sign
Use these with every company you talk to:
- What is your Bowling Green–Warren County contractor license number, and is it a general or specialty license?
- Will this job need a permit, and will you pull it?
- What exactly is the repair method, and how many piers, anchors or injection points are included?
- Where will the piers go, and what happens to the price if rock is deeper than expected?
- Is a structural engineer's report recommended for this job? A contractor's free evaluation is a sales estimate, not an engineering opinion; an engineer's report comes only from a Kentucky-licensed professional engineer (PE).
- What is the warranty? Ask for the warranty in writing: term, what voids it, whether it transfers to a buyer and any transfer fee.
- What drainage or gutter work do you recommend, and is it priced separately?
- What is the payment schedule, and how much is due before work starts?
- Who restores landscaping, concrete or finishes disturbed by the work?
- Can I see proof of the liability insurance and workers' comp you filed with the board?
Red flags worth slowing down for
- Pressure to sign today for a special price.
- A quote with only a total and no line items.
- No license you can find on the Active Contractor Search.
- A request for most of the money up front.
- Scare talk instead of measurements and a clear explanation.
Karst ground is real here, and some homes do need significant work. The Kentucky Geological Survey notes that limestone subsidence hazards "usually can be overcome by prior planning and site evaluation," which is a good reason to slow down and compare. Learn more in Bowling Green karst, sinkholes and your foundation.
Comparing quotes
We connect Bowling Green-area homeowners with independent local foundation repair, crawl space and waterproofing companies for free, no-obligation quotes. We don't license or vouch for any company, so run the checks above with every one. When you are ready, request free quotes or see how it works.