Does Ohio license general contractors in Columbus?

No. Ohio does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Any person can legally call themselves a general contractor in Ohio and sign home improvement contracts. Ohio does license specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration) through the OCILB. For Columbus projects, also verify permits through the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services.

How do I verify a contractor's license for Columbus work?

Verify specialty trade licenses at elicense4.com.ohio.gov — free, instant lookup by name or license number. For general contractors, check the Ohio AG's consumer complaint database at OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov and the Columbus BBB. Always call the insurance carrier directly to confirm coverage is active, not just review the certificate.

What contractor scams are common in Columbus?

Columbus has seen documented cases of contractors collecting large deposits for incomplete or never-started work. KB Co. Builders collected approximately $240,000 from five Columbus-area clients for work that was shoddy, incomplete, or never started. The deposit-and-abandon pattern is the most common, followed by storm-chaser contractors after spring hail events.

How do I report a bad contractor in Columbus?

File a complaint with the Ohio AG Consumer Protection Section at OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515. Also file with the Columbus BBB and the Ohio Contractor Licensing Board for licensed trade complaints. The Ohio AG actively prosecutes home improvement fraud — they obtained over $50 million in judgments in 2024.

How to Find a Good Contractor in Columbus: Ohio Licensing, Scam Cases, and Verified Pros

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing metros in the Midwest, which means a constant flow of new home construction, remodeling, and home improvement projects — and a steady supply of contractors ranging from excellent to fraudulent. Ohio's lack of a statewide general contractor license means every homeowner needs to do their own vetting. The good news: Ohio has one of the most active AG Consumer Protection offices in the country.

Ohio Contractor Licensing — What Columbus Homeowners Need to Know

Ohio licenses five specialty trades statewide through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB):

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration

Ohio has no statewide general contractor license. This means verification for GC work relies on:

OCILB lookup for trade work: elicense4.com.ohio.gov
Columbus permits: Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (plus individual suburb building departments — Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Gahanna, Pickerington each have their own)
Ohio AG complaint history: Search contractor name at OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov before hiring

Documented Columbus-Area Contractor Fraud Cases

KB Co. Builders — Central Ohio, $240,000 in alleged damages: KB Co. Builders, operated by Christopher Jordan Bazemore and Jared Kumala, attracted five consumer complaints alleging that home improvement work was shoddy, incomplete, or never begun. Total damages alleged: approximately $240,000. The Ohio AG filed civil action against the company in 2026. (Insurance Journal, March 2026)

All Around Concrete — Statewide, 14 Ohio victims totaling $105,746: The operator of "All Around Concrete" was indicted in July 2024 after defrauding 14 Ohio homeowners of a combined $105,746 through a pattern of collecting deposits and not completing work. (Ohio Attorney General, July 2024)

CMN Group — Northeast Ohio storm chasers, $188,000 from 24 homeowners: Following the August 2024 storms, this Virginia-based company collected over $188,000 in deposits from 24 Ohio homeowners for roofing and siding repairs — then abandoned all the projects. The Ohio AG sued in March 2026. This is the textbook storm-chaser case: out-of-state company, multiple victims, large deposits, no work. (Insurance Journal, March 2026)

Columbus Storm Season and Contractor Risk

Central Ohio sees regular spring hail events, and Columbus's suburban sprawl — with thousands of homes on relatively new roof systems — makes it a target for storm-chaser contractors after each significant weather event.

The CMN Group case is instructive: the victims were homeowners in the 24-county Northeast Ohio area, and many were in fast-growing suburban markets similar to the Columbus suburbs. Out-of-state operators specifically target areas with high claim volumes and homeowners who may not know how to verify credentials.

After any storm: Wait for your insurance company's adjuster before signing anything. Then get three bids from local, verifiable Columbus-area contractors. Any contractor who arrives at your door within 48 hours of a storm and pressures a same-day signature should be declined.

Key Questions for Columbus Contractors

What is your OCILB license number? (For trade contractors — verify at elicense4.com.ohio.gov)
Which municipality's permit office will we be working with? (Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, etc.)
Who pulls the permit — you or me? (Should always be the contractor)
Do you have documented projects in Franklin County in the last 12 months?
What is the payment schedule, and what does each milestone mean?
Will you provide signed lien waivers from subcontractors at each payment?

Find Verified Contractors in Columbus

For the full vetting checklist, bid comparison guide, and what to do if a contractor goes wrong, see the complete Midwest contractor guide.

Report fraud in Ohio: OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.