General Contractor Serving Upper Arlington, Ohio
We are a Lancaster-based general contractor, about 50 minutes from Upper Arlington, and we take on additions, kitchens, baths and full interior remodels here. Upper Arlington has some of the most detailed residential review in Central Ohio, with contractor registration, zoning compliance, neighborhood compatibility guidelines and a historic district. We handle that paperwork as part of the job.
What We Build in Upper Arlington
Much of Upper Arlington is established housing on mature lots, so the work is usually about making an older house fit how a family lives now without making it look out of place on the street.
Home additions
family rooms, primary suites and kitchen bump-outs sized and detailed to fit the house and the block, with zoning review handled before the building permit.
Kitchen remodels
walls opened up, layouts reworked, new cabinets, islands and counters, with the structural, plumbing and electrical work permitted.
Bathrooms
primary and hall baths taken to the studs, tiled showers and tub-to-shower conversions, waterproofed before tile.
Full interior remodels
whole-floor renovations in older homes where wiring, framing and insulation get brought up before the finishes go on.
Decks and porches
decks, covered porches and screened porches. Upper Arlington requires a building permit to build a deck.
Who Reviews Your Project
Upper Arlington runs its own permitting through the Community Development Department. Most residential projects touch zoning first, then building.
Building Division
Issues building permits and contractor registrations and reviews residential plans. 3600 Tremont Road. (614) 583-5070, inspections (614) 583-5080.
Planning Division (zoning)
A Certificate of Zoning Compliance is part of permitting. Changes to a building footprint get zoning review first, and residential review typically takes 7 to 10 business days.
Board of Zoning and Planning (BZAP)
The only body that can grant a variance. Plans that do not meet the Unified Development Ordinance are redesigned or go to BZAP.
Neighborhood compatibility
Substantial additions and replacement homes are reviewed for fit with the block: massing, height, front setback, roof pitch and garage location.
Upper Arlington Historic District
Old Arlington, south of Lane Avenue, is on the National Register. Alterations to contributing structures carry added design criteria, and demolition needs BZAP approval.
Credentials You Can Check
- Licensed, bonded and insured, with general liability and workers’ compensation on every jobsite
- Upper Arlington requires every general contractor to register annually with a $5,000 bond and a certificate of liability insurance naming the city. Ask any contractor for theirs 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
Upper Arlington is roughly 50 minutes from our Lancaster shop. We book work here in full-day blocks, so the right fit is a project that keeps a crew on site for at least a week: an addition, a kitchen, a bath or a whole-floor remodel. For a small repair, a contractor based closer will usually serve you better.
Confirm before you plan
This page is general guidance as of October 2026, drawn from the city’s published guides. Upper Arlington’s requirements change, and lot-specific rules like setbacks and lot coverage depend on your parcel. We confirm everything with the city during your estimate, or you can call Community Development at (614) 583-5070.
Upper Arlington Building Questions, Answered
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Upper Arlington?
Yes. An addition needs a building permit from the Upper Arlington Building Division and goes through zoning review first, since it changes the footprint. Large additions, more than 50 percent of the home’s existing size, are also reviewed against the city’s neighborhood compatibility design guidelines. Plans that do not meet the zoning code need a redesign or a variance from BZAP.
What does an addition permit cost in Upper Arlington?
The city’s fee schedule lists additions at a $75 application fee, $75 planning review and $75 building review, plus 1.25 percent of construction value and a 1 percent state fee. A Certificate of Zoning Compliance is $50. We include permit fees in your estimate.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Upper Arlington?
Yes. The city lists building a deck as work that requires a building permit. Deck fees are $75 each for application, planning and building review, plus 1 percent of construction value.
Does my contractor have to be registered with Upper Arlington?
Yes. General contractors, trade contractors and subcontractors must hold an annual city registration before starting work. A general contractor needs a $5,000 bond in favor of the city and a certificate of liability insurance with the city named as additional insured. Registrations expire December 31.
Is my house in the Upper Arlington historic district?
If it is in Old Arlington, south of Lane Avenue, it may be. The Upper Arlington Historic District was listed on the National Register in 1985, and the city publishes maps and lists of contributing structures. Alterations to a contributing house follow added design criteria, and the guidance asks that additions leave the original character intact.
How much does a home addition cost in Upper Arlington?
Size, foundation, and whether the addition has a bathroom or kitchen matter most, and design review can add drawing time. Published Columbus-area ranges run roughly $75 to $190 per square foot for a basic room addition and higher for a suite or second story. We price by line item after we see the site.