General Contractor Serving Athens and Athens County, Ohio
We are based in Lancaster, about an hour up US-33 from Athens, so we take on Athens-area projects big enough to make the drive work: additions, kitchen remodels, decks, roofs and pole barns. The City of Athens and the county around it handle permits very differently, and we confirm which applies to your property before we price anything.
What We Build in the Athens Area
Athens has older homes in town and rural property in the county, so the work runs from kitchen remodels to pole barns.
Home additions
bedrooms, family rooms and in-law suites, planned around zoning in the city or the septic system out in the county.
Kitchen remodels
new layouts, cabinets, islands and counters, with plumbing and electrical done right behind them.
Decks and porches
decks on frost-depth footings with flashed ledgers, plus covered porches, built for sloped lots.
Roofing and siding
shingle and metal roofs, storm damage repair and siding replacement.
Pole barns
post-frame garages, shops and storage on county acreage.
City of Athens vs. Athens County
Do not treat these as the same. Inside city limits there is zoning, contractor registration and historic review. In most of the county there is no zoning at all, but subdivision, floodplain and septic rules still apply.
City Code Enforcement & Community Development
Residential zoning permits for new construction and alterations inside city limits, through the CitizenServe portal. 28 Curran Dr. (740) 592-3306.
City Historic Preservation Commission
Reviews new and remodeled buildings in the city’s historic districts for compatibility.
Athens County Regional Planner
The county has no adopted zoning. It does require a permit to subdivide land into parcels under 5 acres, and a permit for any development in the floodplain. 1 S. Court St. (740) 447-5890.
Athens Township
One exception to “no zoning”: Athens Township has a zoned area and its own zoning commission. (740) 592-1523.
Athens City-County Health Department
Septic, site review and private well permits. 278 W. Union St. (740) 592-4431.
Is Your Project a Fit?
- A project that keeps a crew on site for a week or more: an addition, kitchen, roof, deck or pole barn
- You want one owner-operator accountable for the whole job
- Your site has room and access for deliveries, or we can plan around it
- For small repairs, an Athens-based contractor will usually serve you better
Credentials You Can Check
- Licensed, bonded and insured, with general liability and workers’ compensation on every jobsite
- The City of Athens requires every contractor working inside city limits to register each year, with a certificate of insurance naming the city. Ask any contractor for their registration
- Written line-item estimates and a written workmanship warranty on every job
- Owner-operated: Adam prices the job and is on the job
Confirm by address
This page is general guidance as of November 2026. City limits, township zoning, the floodplain and your septic system decide what your project needs. We confirm the requirements for your property with the right office before we price the job.
Athens Building Questions, Answered
Does a home addition in Athens require a permit?
Inside city limits, yes: the City of Athens Office of Code Enforcement and Community Development issues residential zoning permits for new construction and alterations, with an $80 application fee, and historic districts add review. Ask that office what else your project needs. Outside the city, there is usually no zoning, but floodplain, subdivision and septic permits can apply.
Does my contractor have to be registered in Athens?
Inside city limits, yes. Every contractor must register with the city each year. It costs $125, renews June 1, and requires a certificate of insurance naming the City of Athens plus a workers’ compensation certificate. Working unregistered carries a $500 penalty per job.
Does Athens County have zoning?
The county has no adopted zoning regulations. It does have subdivision rules, which apply to any parcel under five acres, and floodplain rules, which require a permit for any development in the floodplain. Athens Township has its own zoning for part of its area.
What should an Athens County homeowner ask a general contractor?
Whether they are registered with the city if you live in Athens, and for proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Then ask who checks the floodplain and septic questions, what the written estimate includes and leaves out, how changes are priced, and who will be on site day to day.
How do I compare bids for a kitchen remodel in Athens?
Make sure every bid covers the same scope: cabinets, counters, flooring, plumbing and electrical changes, appliances, permits and cleanup. Compare line items, not totals. A low bid often leaves things out. Ask each contractor for the schedule and the warranty in writing, too.
Do you serve Athens from Lancaster?
Yes, for the right project. Athens is about an hour from our shop, so we book Athens work in full-day blocks and focus on jobs that run a week or more.