General Contractor Serving Columbus, Ohio
We are a general contractor based in Lancaster, about 40 minutes southeast of downtown Columbus, and we build home additions, kitchens, baths, decks and new homes across Central Ohio. In Columbus the first question is who has your permit: the city’s Building and Zoning Services, or Franklin County if you are in an unincorporated township. We figure that out before we price the job.
What We Build in Columbus
Columbus is a big, varied market, from early-1900s houses near downtown to post-war ranches and newer subdivisions on the edges. We focus on projects big enough to keep a crew on site for a week or more.
Home additions
family rooms, primary suites, in-law suites and second stories framed and roofed to match the house, with drawings and zoning clearance handled.
Kitchen remodels
layouts reworked, walls opened, new cabinets, islands and counters, with the structural, plumbing and electrical work permitted.
Roofing and siding
full tear-offs and re-roofs, storm damage repair and siding replacement.
Custom homes
new homes on your lot in Franklin County and the surrounding counties, from site work and foundation through final.
Decks and porches
decks on frost-depth footings with flashed ledgers, plus covered and screened porches.
Bathrooms and interiors
bath rebuilds, finished basements and whole-floor interior remodels.
Columbus City Permit vs. Franklin County Permit
A Columbus mailing address does not mean the City of Columbus has jurisdiction. Inside city limits, the city issues the permit and handles zoning. In the unincorporated townships, Franklin County issues the building permit and zoning comes from either the county or the township.
Columbus Building and Zoning Services
Residential building permits, plan review, inspections and zoning inside city limits. 111 N. Front St. (614) 645-7433. Applications go through the city’s Citizen Access Portal.
Franklin County Building Department
Permits for one-, two- and three-family homes in unincorporated Franklin County. 142 S. Front St. (614) 525-3166.
County-zoned townships
Brown, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison, Mifflin, Norwich, Pleasant, Sharon and Truro townships are zoned by Franklin County Economic Development & Planning.
Township-zoned townships
Blendon, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Plain, Prairie and Washington townships run their own zoning. Get a township zoning compliance letter first, then the county building permit.
Historic Resources Commission
Exterior changes to properties in a Columbus Register district or individually listed property need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
German, Italian and Victorian Village
Each has its own commission that issues Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior work in that district.
Credentials You Can Check
- Licensed, bonded and insured, with general liability and workers’ compensation on every jobsite
- Columbus requires a city contractor license for hired residential work. Additions and alterations to one- to three-family homes fall under the Home Improvement General Contractor license. Ask any contractor for their license before you sign
- Written line-item estimates and a written workmanship warranty on every job
- Owner-operated: Adam prices the job and is on the job
How Far We Travel
Our shop is in Lancaster, about 40 minutes from downtown Columbus and closer to the southeast side. We book Columbus work in full-day blocks, so the best fit is an addition, kitchen, roof, deck or new home rather than a small repair.
Permit rules change by address
This page is general guidance as of October 2026. City limits, township lines and historic districts decide which office reviews your project. We confirm it for your address before we price the job.
Columbus Building Questions, Answered
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Columbus or Franklin County?
Yes. Inside Columbus city limits, an addition needs a building permit from Building and Zoning Services, with plans, specifications and usually a site plan, and zoning clearance may be required. In unincorporated Franklin County the county building department issues the permit, after zoning compliance from the county or your township.
What is the difference between a Columbus city permit and a Franklin County permit?
It comes down to where the parcel is. Inside Columbus city limits, the city’s Building and Zoning Services issues the building permit and handles zoning. In unincorporated townships, the Franklin County Building Department issues the building permit, and zoning comes from the county for townships like Brown, Mifflin and Norwich, or from the township itself for Blendon, Jefferson, Plain, Washington and the others with their own zoning.
How much does a home addition cost in Columbus?
It depends most on size, foundation, and whether the addition has a bathroom or kitchen. Published Columbus ranges run roughly $75 to $190 per square foot for a basic room addition and higher for a bedroom with a bath or a second story. We price by line item after we see the site.
Does my contractor need a license in Columbus?
Yes. Homeowners can pull permits only for work they do themselves on a single-family home they live in. Hired work requires a contractor licensed or registered with the city. A Home Improvement General Contractor license covers additions and alterations to one- to three-family homes and requires passing the Ohio home improvement exam and three years of experience.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Columbus?
Usually. Columbus deck permits take two sets of plans showing site, footings, framing, elevations, guards and stairs, with footing, framing and final inspections. The Residential Code of Ohio exempts a deck only if it is 200 square feet or less, 30 inches or less above grade, not attached to the house, and not serving the required exit door.
I live in German Village. What else do I need?
Exterior work there needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the German Village Commission before the building permit. Italian Village and Victorian Village have their own commissions, and other Columbus Register properties go to the Historic Resources Commission. Plan extra time for that review.