Nashville Flood Contractors and Local Resources: Your Complete Directory
Nashville's construction market runs hot — and flood recovery and mitigation work is no exception. After every major flood event in Middle Tennessee, legitimate contractors are overwhelmed with backlog while storm chasers move in from out of state looking for quick money. Knowing how to find, vet, and hire qualified local contractors — and knowing which government resources are available — is as important as knowing what mitigation work you need done.
Types of Contractors You May Need
| Contractor Type | What They Do | Tennessee License Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Plumber | Backwater valve install, overhead sewer conversion, sump pump drain connection | Yes — Tennessee Plumbing License (Class A or B) |
| Basement Waterproofing Company | Interior/exterior waterproofing, French drains, sump systems, crack injection | Tennessee Residential Contractor License (home improvement over $3,000) |
| Water Damage Restoration Company | Emergency water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation, contents cleaning | Tennessee contractor license + IICRC certification strongly recommended |
| General Contractor | Home elevation, utility relocation, structural flood mitigation, rebuild | Tennessee Contractor License (required for projects over $25,000) |
| Licensed Engineer or Surveyor | Elevation Certificate, LOMA application, drainage design, foundation elevation engineering | Tennessee PE or PLS License |
How to Verify Licensed Contractors in Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Contractor Lookup
The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors maintains the official database of licensed contractors. Before hiring any contractor for flood work, verify their license status:
- verify.tn.gov — Tennessee's unified professional license verification portal. Search by contractor name, company, or license number.
- tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors — Board for Licensing Contractors with complaint history search.
In Tennessee, a contractor's license is required for any project exceeding $25,000 (general) or $3,000 (home improvement). Any contractor claiming to do flood mitigation work without a license on larger projects is a red flag.
Tennessee Plumbing Board
Backwater valve installation, overhead sewer conversions, and sump pump drain connections all require a licensed plumber. Verify plumbing license status through:
- verify.tn.gov — search under "Plumbing" category
- A licensed plumber will pull the required Metro Nashville plumbing permit for any sewer line work
Metro Nashville Permit Verification
Any legitimate contractor doing flood work in Nashville should pull building and plumbing permits from Metro Nashville. Unpermitted work can void insurance claims, create problems at sale, and leave you with no recourse if the work fails. Verify permit status through:
- Metro Nashville Development Services: nashville.gov/departments/codes
- For permit history on a specific property, use the Nashville Codes online permit search
Vetting Contractors: Questions to Ask
For backwater valve / plumbing work:
- Are you licensed as a Tennessee plumber? What is your license number?
- Will you pull a Metro Nashville plumbing permit?
- What type of backwater valve do you recommend — inline gate valve or flapper-type — and what's the basis for that recommendation for my pipe material?
- Do you carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance in Tennessee?
For waterproofing and foundation work:
- Is your Tennessee contractor license current?
- What specifically is causing water entry in my home — hydrostatic pressure, surface runoff, or crack infiltration?
- Are you recommending interior drain tile, exterior excavation and membrane, or both — and why?
- Is your warranty transferable if I sell the home?
- Are you IICRC-certified (Water Damage Restoration Technician credential)?
Universal red flags: pressure to sign same-day after a flood event; request for full payment upfront; unwillingness to provide a Tennessee license number; no physical Tennessee business address.
Metro Nashville Emergency Contacts
Metro Water Services
- Emergency line (sewer backup, water main issues): 615-862-4600 (24/7)
- Website: nashville.gov/departments/water
- Report sewer backup immediately — this creates a documented record needed for any future city program eligibility
- Metro Water Services manages the stormwater and sewer systems in Davidson County; they can advise on your neighborhood's system type (combined vs. separated sewer)
Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management
- Website: nashville.gov/departments/emergency-management
- Sign up for emergency alerts through the Aware Nashville notification system
- Flood watch/warning notifications via the NashvilleReady program
Nashville Floodplain Management (Metro Water Services)
- For FEMA map questions, elevation certificate guidance, LOMA applications, and floodplain development permits: nashville.gov/departments/water/developers/floodplain-development
- The floodplain management office can advise on Nashville's voluntary home buyout program for repetitively flooded properties
Tennessee and Federal Financial Assistance Programs
| Program | Amount | Eligibility | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEMA HMGP (post-disaster) | Up to 75% of eligible project cost | Following presidential disaster declaration; homeowners via TEMA | tn.gov/tema |
| FEMA BRIC Grants | 50–75% of project costs | Municipalities; administered by TEMA and Metro Nashville | tn.gov/tema |
| FEMA Individual Assistance | Avg ~$8,000 after 2010 (max varies) | Post-presidential disaster declaration; not a substitute for insurance | disasterassistance.gov |
| Tennessee 211 Emergency Assistance | Connects to emergency funds, nonprofits | All Tennessee residents | Dial 2-1-1 or 211tennessee.org |
Nashville Voluntary Home Buyout Program
Since the 2010 flood, Metro Nashville has purchased more than 400 flood-prone homes through its voluntary buyout program, funded primarily with FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars. Properties acquired are converted to green space that absorbs future flood flows. If your home has flooded repeatedly and you're considering relocation, contact Metro Water Services' floodplain management division to ask about buyout eligibility and timeline. Buyouts are voluntary; you are not required to participate.
After a Flood: Immediate Response Checklist
- Do not enter sewer backup water: Black water (Category 3) contains raw sewage. Do not wade through it without waterproof boots, gloves, and eye protection minimum. N95 mask for extended exposure.
- Shut off power at the panel if accessible without entering water: Do not enter a flooded area if the panel requires walking through standing water.
- Document everything before any cleanup: Photo and video every room, every item, every waterline — required for insurance claim review. Do not throw anything away before documentation.
- Report sewer backup to Metro Water Services at 615-862-4600: Creates an official record essential for program eligibility.
- Call your insurer within 24–48 hours: Report your claim. If you have flood insurance (NFIP), request an adjuster. Standard homeowners claims only cover sewer backup if you have a specific endorsement.
- Hire IICRC-certified restoration within 24–48 hours: Mold begins growing in 24–48 hours in wet conditions. Find certified firms at iicrc.org/find-a-pro. Local options include SERVPRO of Nashville, Paul Davis Restoration of Middle Tennessee, and 24 Hour Flood Fighters.
- For post-disaster FEMA assistance: Register at disasterassistance.gov if a presidential disaster declaration has been issued for Davidson County.
Take Action Before the Next Event
Before engaging any contractor, use our Free Flood Risk Assessment to generate a property-specific risk score and prioritized mitigation recommendations. It takes 5 minutes and gives you a clear brief to bring into contractor conversations — so you know what you need before someone tells you what they want to sell. Read the Flood Proofing Your Nashville Home guide for the specific strategies that address Middle Tennessee's flood mechanisms, and the Nashville Flood Insurance Guide to make sure you have coverage before the next storm warning appears.