The 10 Best Columbus, OH General Contractors

You must hire a contractor licensed with the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services for all construction and home improvement project. Licensed home improvement contractors are required for work on existing residential buildings, such as repairs, remodels, replacements, alterations, conversions, updates and additions. For any new construction you must hire a licensed general contractor.

The Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services issues licenses to home improvement contractors and general contractors. Applicants must be 18 years old, authorized to work in the US, pay a fee and have at least three years of relevant experience in residential construction for an unrestricted license, or one year of first hand experience for a limited license. Those applying for a building contractor's licenses are exempted from the work experience requirements if the applicant is a registered Ohio engineer in the field of construction, or an engineering graduate with a year of relevant work experience. Contractors must show proof of a bond and general liability insurance to be licensed. Licenses must be renewed annually for a fee. The fee is $185 for home improvement contractors and $350 for general contractors.

Licensed contractors must hold general liability insurance with a minimum of $300,000 for damages to an individual and a minimum of $500,000 for a single occurrence. It is recommended that you only hire a contractor who also holds workers’ compensation. You should request copies of both insurance certificates for your records prior to beginning any work on your property.

All construction projects in Columbus require a permit, unless explicitly exempted in the building code. Generally, all new construction, additions, major remodels, changes of use, and demolitions will need a permit. Many home improvement projects, such as a deck that is larger than 200 square feet, requires a permit. If you build without a permit when one is required, you risk citation, increased permit fees, the removal of such work, problems selling your home in the future and the possibility that homeowners insurance won’t cover issues that occur as a result of non-permitted construction. If you are unsure what permits your project needs, contact The Department of Building and Zoning Services at 614.645.7433.

The Department of Building and Zoning Services is responsible for issuing permits. The permitting process is not only required by law, but ensures work meets building codes and safety standards, and protects your investment. You and your contractor should decide at the start of project planning who will be responsible for acquiring the necessary permits. The Department of Building and Zoning Services provides services to advise you during the permitting process and a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit. Although most projects will require the submission of plans, the Department offers permits for many common small scale projects without a plan review. More details are available on the City of Columbus's Department of Building and Zoning Services website.

General contractors and home improvement contractors must hold bonds in the amount of $25,000 to conduct work on residential properties. There is no recovery fund in Ohio to reimburse homeowners who have suffered financial loss due to the work of an incompetent or dishonest contractor.

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

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Columbus, 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 Columbus. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.