GC Laws — Kentucky contractor-law checklist preview (free)
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. Public summaries remain free on gclaws.com.

[ ] Licensing
      - KRS 318.030 requires the applicable active master or journeyman plumbing license for covered plumbing practice, subject to the statute’s exceptions. The section addresses the required liability insurance and the employee exception separately.
      - KRS 198B.656 requires the applicable HVAC credential to practice or hold oneself out in the regulated capacity, subject to that chapter’s exceptions.

[ ] Mechanic's liens
      - Record the verified statement with the county clerk within six months after ceasing the covered labor or furnishing. The statement identifies the credited amount, property, owner and whether the claimant contracted directly with the owner. A copy must be mailed to the owner by regular mail within seven days; failure dissolves the lien.
      - Section 376.010 imposes additional notice conditions depending on the claimant and property. The six-month recordation period does not replace those preliminary requirements.
      - Section 376.090 generally requires an enforcement action within 12 months after recordation. If the debtor dies before expiry, the statute allows the stated six-month period after qualification of the personal representative.

[ ] Retainage
      - KRS 371.410 permits retention up to 10% of an undisputed payment until 50% completion. Once 51% is complete, total retainage may not exceed 5% of the total contract amount.
      - Retainage is released within 30 days after substantial completion, less up to 200% of the reasonably estimated value of incomplete work. Substantial completion requires the statutory written certification, approvals and documents and readiness for intended beneficial use; partial occupancy alone does not necessarily establish it.
      - Within 15 business days after the owner releases retainage to the contractor, the contractor releases the subcontractors’ proportional shares of that retainage.

[ ] Prompt payment
      - For a timely, complete and undisputed request, the owner generally pays within 30 business days. An unpaid contractor gives the certified-mail notice described in §371.405 on the 25th business day to invoke the specified interest process; the section provides 12% annual interest beginning on the 31st business day.
      - The designated postsecondary and board-of-education contracts have a 45-business-day owner period and the section’s associated approval and interest provisions.
      - Contractors and successive subcontractors pay the attributable undisputed amount within 15 business days after receipt of the corresponding payment, provided a timely, complete payment request has been submitted. The amended subsection specifies 12% annual interest from the 16th business day for noncompliant late payment.

[ ] Prevailing wage
      - The General Assembly marks KRS 337.505, a former prevailing-wage provision, repealed effective January 9, 2017. That repeal citation does not determine any separate federal or contractual wage obligation on a particular project.

[ ] Davis-Bacon (federal)
      - Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits.
      - Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions.
      - The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract.
      - Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act.
      - SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification.

This preview lists the topics and rules covered in the full state pack. The paid pack adds the complete source URLs, citations, review dates, and the three editable tools.
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