The 10 Best Cleveland, OH General Contractors

You are required to hire a contractor registered with the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing for all construction work, unless you are the owner-occupant in a one or two family home and will be performing the work yourself.

The Department of Building and Housing is responsible for registering contractors. There is no requirement to pass an examination or prove relevant prior work experience to be registered. Applicants must prove they hold a bond with a minimum coverage of $25,000, and liability insurance in order to be registered.

Registered contractors must hold liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $200,000, including bodily injury of $50,000 and $100,000 and property damage of $50,000. You should only hire a contractor who also holds workers’ compensation. Request a copy of each of these insurance certificates prior to beginning any construction work on your property.

A building permit is necessary for all new construction, additions, alterations, changes to use and occupancy, the movement of a structure, the installation of most equipment, and the removal or demolition of a structure. A permit is required for garages, sheds, decks, porches, ramps, swimming pools, awnings, canopies, fences, signs, and parking lots. Other common projects requiring a permit include re-roofing, applying siding, installing gutters, doors and windows, replacing window units and finishing basements and attics. Construction work that involves the cutting away of walls, removal or cutting of structural and/or load bearing supports, changes to any required means of egress must have a permit. If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, contact the Department of Building and Housing at 216.664.2910.

The Office of Permits and Plan Examination in the Department of Building and Housing is responsible for issuing building permits and ensuring project compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. At the start of planning, you should specify with your contractor which party is responsible for acquiring the necessary permits. The Department of Building and Housing, offers multiple services to guide you through the permitting process. Depending on your project, you may need to begin the process with one or multiple reviews, such as zoning, design or stormwater. To apply for a residential permit, construction documents must be submit for a Building Code Review. More details are available on the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing website.

Contractors in Cleveland are required to hold a bond with a minimum coverage of $25,000. In case of inadequate work or if a project is abandoned or not completed, you may get access to financial reimbursement through this bond. There is no state Recovery Fund for homeowners who have suffered financial loss due to the incompetent or dishonest work of a contractor.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's registration information and building permit data, gathered from the Cleveland Department of Building and Housing; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every registered contractor who has worked in Cleveland, Ohio. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Cleveland. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.