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Are You Licensed to Practice as a General Contractor in Columbus?

The city's Department of Building and Zoning Services handles general contractor licensing in Columbus. All general contractors in Columbus are required to have a general contractor license to operate in the city. The objectives of this license are to provide basic qualification standards and to guarantee the safety and welfare of the general public and residents of structures within the city.

The following types of work are permitted to be done by general contractors registered with Columbus:

• Building of any and all new constructions (excluding accessory structures and garages for existing 1, 2, and 3-family dwellings).
• Structural alterations, additions, or repairs to an existing commercial structure or building with four or more residential units and any accompanying structures.
• Coordination and administration of existing 1, 2, and 3-family homes being repaired, altered, or modified.

The General Contractor must, however, subcontract all other work to Home Improvement, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Contractors who are licensed by the City of Columbus and who will either do the work themselves or ensure that it is done correctly under their direct supervision. The following documentation must be submitted in order to apply for a general contractor license in Columbus:

• The applicant's name
• Date of birth
• Addresses of the applicant's present residence and place(s) of business
• Numbers for the applicant's present home and place of business
• Dates of any prior registrations or licenses with the department, if any; and
• Other data that the Department deems necessary.

An examination is required for the application for a general contractor license and must be submitted to the Department no later than a year after the date on which a passing score of 70 and above was obtained by an authorized testing agency. The validity of a passing score expires after one year from the day it was obtained. Only legitimate test results must be submitted with an application to the Department.

The application must also be filed at least seven calendar days before the date of the appropriate board of review's hearing and include a statement of experience that explicitly states the following:

• List of employers or projects, together with relevant dates
• Work-related details regarding the jobs or projects that have been listed in detail
• The amount of time invested in each of the listed jobs or projects
• The applicant's name, the name of the employer, or another responsible party with information about their employment or project that they were directly accountable for
• There must also be a declaration from the applicant detailing the education and training they have received.

Note that the application fee for a general contractor license is $350 and is nonrefundable. Operating without a license in Columbus can see general contractors facing a daily fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail. Contact the Building and Zoning Services at the following address for further details about obtaining a license as a roofing contractor in Columbus:

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other General Contractors in the City?

The following factors greatly determine how much it will cost to hire a general contractor in Columbus:

• Conditions and accessibility of the site
• Labor costs
• Location of the project within the city
• The cost of the licenses needed for the project
• The cost of the required materials
• The nature and scope of the project
• The quality of the construction designs and site plans
• The urgency of the project
• Type of project

Getting estimates for your projects from at least three general contractors in the city and comparing their prices before making your final hiring decisions makes great sense and could save you a lot of hassle. When generating their estimates for services, general contractors commonly employ the following pricing techniques:

• Lump Sum Pricing: In this method, the contractor often offers a single price for all of the agreed-upon services. When using this approach of cost estimation, the contractor adds a larger markup to account for unforeseen events. This type of pricing is frequently applied to projects having a clear scope. The biggest advantage of employing the lump sum pricing method is that you don't have to worry about incurring additional costs as the project progresses.
• Cost Plus Pricing: In this method, the client pays the whole cost of the materials, labor, and support services, and the contractor is paid a predetermined proportion of the project's overall cost. Using this system, the general contractor is typically compensated between 10% and 20% of the project's overall cost. This pricing strategy is appropriate for projects with an ambiguous overall scope since the client can save money if the project's ultimate cost is lower than anticipated. However, if the project ends up costing more than anticipated, the client will be required to pay more.

You shouldn't just hire the contractor with the lowest bid because some lure clients in with low bids at first, only to raise costs once the project is underway. This is also a trick con artists use to try to get your money without doing any work. Always take into account extra variables, like the contractor's standing and level of expertise, as well as the kinds and levels of services they plan to provide at the costs they are demanding.

General Contractors in Columbus earn an estimated annual average wage of $71,670. The list below compares the average hourly wage of these contractors with those of general contractors in other parts of Ohio and other locations across the United States:

What Kind of General Contractor Services Do You Offer?

Columbus general contractors frequently receive contracts to perform construction-related tasks. Despite this being true, the specific services these contractors provide are influenced mainly by the particular contractor and the project for which they are hired. But many reliable general contractors in the city regularly offer these fundamental services:

• Create cost projections for the project before it even starts.
• Deliver the project's necessary supplies.
• Employ the necessary manpower for the project.
• Organize with suppliers and vendors.
• Ensure that you have the necessary licenses.
• Monitor how well the work is being done while keeping the deadline in mind.
• Verify that the project complies with all applicable building codes and safety requirements.
• Use specialized subcontractors when necessary.
• Manage the administrative aspects of the project, including scheduling, financial flow, and labor payments.
• Make sure to record each stage of the construction project meticulously.
• Perform actual building, repair, and remodeling work when necessary.

It is usually a good idea to inquire about the services a general contractor will provide for your construction project before signing any agreements with them. Depending on the project's scale, the general contractor may finish the project with their own team or may need to employ a subcontractor to undertake specific tasks. Bear in mind that a general contractor may occasionally need to hire these subcontractors from outside of their team if they are unable to find someone qualified to fill the position. Before the contract is signed, these agreements should be negotiated.

In order to complete tasks that the general contractor or their staff may not be directly competent to carry out, especially those that require special licenses, such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC installation, carpentry, and roofing, subcontractors are commonly employed. Working on construction projects, general contractors and subcontractors have some significant distinctions. These include:

Will You Get the Necessary Permits as Required per the City Code?

A contractor or homeowner needs a permit to start performing the tasks outlined in the project plans and description. When applying for a permit in Columbus, you must provide any blueprints that may be needed for approval along with your application to the Department of Building and Zoning Services. Depending on the type of work, the plans are sent to different departments for assessment when the application is received. Your general contractor must complete a building permit application in order to request permits for new construction, additions, alterations, accessory structures, and decks.

Notably, a building permit is required for new construction work of a 1, 2, or 3-family residential home. This also applies to modifications, renovations, and ancillary structures, which are essentially expansions, adjustments, or additions to an already-built house. For a deck, a permit is necessary if any of the following situations apply:

• Its size exceeds 200 square feet.
• Any component is, at any time, 30 inches above grade.
• It is affixed to the structure and acts as a landing for the necessary evacuation door.

For multifamily buildings, a building permit is also required. Building permits are required for the construction of parking lots, masonry walls regardless of height, and fences taller than 6 feet. The permit is issued, and work can commence following the approval of each necessary review. Note that certain types of work are exempt from requiring a plan approval or permit. The general contractor may also require other kinds of permits, like a demolition permit, to perform certain activities.

For more information on general contractor permits, contact the Department of Building and Zoning Services at:

Do You Work with Subcontractors?

You should always inquire if any subcontractors will be used when hiring your preferred general contractor for your construction project. Columbus general contractors typically need to work with subcontractors for the following reasons:

• Obtaining funding for ambitious or varied projects
• Workplace productivity and flexibility
• Cost efficiency.
• Precise, technical duties for which neither they nor their staff is licensed or qualified.

Frequently, general contractors subcontract the following industries for construction projects:

• Appliance installation
• Carpentry
• Drywalling and insulation installation
• Electrical work
• HVAC installations
• Mason work
• Painting
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• Welding
• Window installation

Typically, the general contractor is in charge of selecting these subcontractors, but you should always take safeguards to ensure that you won't be held accountable if there are any problems between your main contractor and any subcontractors working on the project. The most prevalent causes of these issues include delayed payments, subpar or inadequate service, and injuries suffered by the subcontractor.

Note that according to Ohio law, standard construction contracts should include language requiring contractors to get non-standard Commercial General Liability coverage or endorsements for projects in Ohio, as this is not covered by default. The majority of insurance companies offer this type of coverage quickly through an endorsement at little to no additional expense, and it may even be added mid-project.

A subcontractor may file a mechanics' lien if they have not received payment. They have 75 days from the final day on which materials or labor were given to complete commercial projects. They only have 60 days for a residential project. Do the following to avoid getting involved in the mechanic lien trouble:

• Be Careful When Hiring a Contractor: Make sure the general contractor you intend to engage is trustworthy and qualified by conducting in-depth research on them.
• Keep Up with Any Subcontracting: Ask the general contractor to inform you whether any subcontractors will be working on your project.
• Purchase a Lien Waiver: For all payments, demand lien waivers. With this, the subcontractors cannot place a lien on your property. Waivers of liens are another ingenious strategy to guarantee the general contractor's responsibility.
• Utilize Bonded Contractors Only: Verify the general contractor's payment bond status. An action against the bond could be taken in place of the contractor if they don't pay the subcontractor on time.
• Pay Your Bills On Time: Never miss a payment to your general contractor for whatever reason.
• Contract in Writing: You should always have a written record of any agreements you have with your general contractor.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for General Contractors in the City?

It is only reasonable to view construction as a hazardous occupation that necessitates caution and readiness for the worst-case scenario, especially given the 41 construction-related fatalities that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in Columbus and other Ohio regions between 2019 and 2020. Serious safety risks that construction workers may encounter include, but are not limited to:

• Being exposed to bad weather
• Cuts, rips, and lacerations caused by tools and other sharp items when working.
• Electrocutions
• Exposure to harmful substances such as silica dust and asbestos
• Falls from a great height
• Injuries brought on by falling objects and flying objects
• Uncomfortable workplace conditions

A general contractor in Columbus must present proof of liability insurance prior to receiving a license, and each time, their license needs to be renewed. This insurance must also be kept current at all times. An appropriate insurance provider authorized to conduct business in the State of Ohio must write the liability insurance necessary for a contractor's license holder. Limits of liability for the liability insurance must be at least $300,000.00 for damages to a single person and $500,000.00 for one event. Any liability insurance coverage that is not kept in good standing will be immediate grounds for suspending the contractor's license.

The Columbus contractor is not required to provide evidence of worker's compensation insurance, but if your contractor employs others, you should double-check this just to be cautious. They might also profit from commercial auto insurance as coverage. Note that all contractors are also required to carry bonds in the amount of $25,000.

Without the required insurance, you run the risk of being held liable for any mishaps the general contractor or any subcontractors working on the project in Columbus cause. Working with uninsured contractors increases your chance of being held liable for any direct or indirect property damage these people cause.

With this in mind, it is usually in your best interest to get confirmation of insurance from any general contractor in Columbus you choose to engage and to confirm these papers before they begin working on your project. You should get in touch with the contractor's insurance provider to determine whether the insurance minimum is adequate for the scale of your project and to verify that any subcontractors they hire are covered by their insurance. Find out if the contractor has professional liability insurance to protect them from their own mistakes.

For more information regarding the insurance requirements for general contractors in Columbus, call the Ohio Department of Insurance at (614) 644-2658.

Do You Provide a Warranty for Works Completed?

Customers are given warranties to ensure that the products and services they purchase will function as intended. It also refers to the terms and conditions under which repairs or exchanges will be done if a product or service does not operate as promised or intended. In essence, warranties reassure customers that the service they are going to purchase is future-proof. One of two warranties is typically provided by general contractors:

• Explicit Warranty: A written promise that is often included in a project proposal or contract; it is also known as an Express Warranty. An express promise is made when a buyer is provided with information regarding a good or service, and that information affects their choice to purchase the goods or service.
• Implied Warranty: The law recognizes this form of warranty even though it is not expressed in writing. Implied warranties are widely employed in many kinds of building projects, whether or not a documented warranty is provided.

Generally, the following warranty types are available:

• Warranty on Materials and Tools: This guarantees that the parts and goods used in construction are entirely new, error-free, and will function as intended.
• Workmanship Warranty: This warranty guarantees that the project team and its subcontractors will carry out their tasks to the greatest possible standards.
• Assurance of Habitability: This warranty ensures that the finished building or structure is secure for habitation and appropriate for its intended usage. Usually, residential buildings are covered by this warranty.
• Call-back Warranty: This kind of warranty specifies a time range during which the homeowner may speak with the builder to address any issues with the structure. It can take a year or longer, depending on the general contractor.
• Vendor Warranty: This type of warranty, which usually covers the fixtures and appliances in a building, is offered by the firm that sells those products.
• Design-Build Warranty: The design-build warranty typically covers the services of project specialists like architects and engineers.

The implied warranty that contractors will provide services in a workmanlike manner is mandated by Ohio common law. This implied warranty is essentially a standard of care obligation for contractors and calls for a construction expert to act fairly and use the same level of caution that a member of the trade in good standing would in a similar or identical situation. Any damages necessary to restore the completed improvement to the state expected by the parties at the time of the contract are the responsibility of the contractor who violates this implied warranty to perform in a workmanlike manner.

Unless otherwise specified by the contract agreements, the contractor will normally include a general warranty stating that all products supplied and installed by the contractor will be brand-new and free of faults in materials and workmanship. Additionally, the contractor will frequently consent to a legal "duty to correct" flawed or incomplete work within a year of its major completion. It is crucial to ensure that the contract makes it clear that the contractor's general warranty and any manufacturer or other subcontractor warranties—which can include longer warranty periods—are not affected by the one-year "duty to correct" period.

According to Ohio law, property owners who suffer damage to their real estate as a result of poor construction can sue contractors for negligence. In general, homeowners have four years from the time the damage was initially found to file a claim against builders for negligent building that resulted in damage to real property. Claims for negligent construction must be made within two years of the date the flaw was identified if it was found between eight and ten years after construction was finished. However, these negligent construction claims would be time-barred under Ohio's Statute of Repose if the defect wasn't found until ten years or more after the building was substantially finished.

The homeowner is expected to file a lawsuit within the four-year statute of limitations for a breach of warranty claim in Columbus. However, arbitration is frequently utilized to resolve disputes when the parties cannot agree on a warranty length. In order to resolve these disputes, arbitration could be a less expensive and time-consuming choice than going to court.

Can You Provide References of Clients Served in Columbus?

When searching for a general contractor in Columbus, you can ask family members and close friends for recommendations on who they employed for similar work, conduct an online search, or get in touch with well-known trade groups or associations in the area, such as:

• The Associated General Contractors of Ohio
• The Ohio Contractors Association
• The National Association of Home Builders
• The Associated General Contractors of America

You should always get references from nearby general contractors before signing any hiring contracts, regardless of how you get in touch with them. Asking for references from previous clients that a general contractor has worked with is wise if you want to evaluate their professionalism, honesty, level of experience, and service performance. A general contractor should not be hired if they are unwilling to provide references or if they are unable to provide you with three local references. This is frequently a sign of poor service delivery and may even be an indication that the contractor has a history of fraud.

It is crucial to remember that to get first-hand opinions and feedback on the general contractor and how they handle their services, you should always get in touch with the references given to you. Additionally, it is a good idea to research the contractor on independent review sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, your local Better Business Bureau, and others. Inquire about any complaints against the general contractor and the details of such complaints by contacting the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

What Is the Expected Timeline for This Project?

Choosing skilled and experienced general contractors in Columbus is often smart because these professionals can frequently offer you an expected completion date. This is in addition to the support they can provide in managing your construction project properly. The following factors should be addressed as they frequently influence how much a skilled general contractor will bill for a project:

• Alterations to the scope or plan of the project
• Permits and inspections
• The availability of labor, subcontractors, and supplies for building
• The nature and scope of the project
• the season and normal weather conditions

Any building project's success is hinged on an accurate time estimate that accounts for the project's high points. The following are some benefits of creating a schedule for a building project:

• It aids in preventing miscommunication with your general contractor.
• It gives you a window of time to plan for events like relocation, the birth of a child, retirement, and weddings.
• It gives you the opportunity to prepare for potential project delays and gives the contractor the latitude to create plans to cut down on those delays.
• It improves the efficiency of task assignment and fulfillment.
• It is simpler to monitor the project's development and ensure that the contractor is not purposefully causing delays.
• Production is increased while costs are decreased.