Contractors and Repair Shops in Ohio

Under Ohio's Home Construction Service Suppliers Act, a home construction service supplier must sign a written contract that complies with the law before starting work, must give an estimate before doing work that will cost more than the contract amount (excess costs), and may not charge for excess costs the owner has not approved. The supplier also may not misrepresent that work is needed or was done, must work in a workmanlike manner, must give back replaced parts on request (with limited exceptions), and must refund payment for goods or services not delivered. The Attorney General notes that state law does not require home improvement contractors to be licensed, though many Ohio cities do, and advises against large down payments or paying in full before the job is complete and inspected.

The Attorney General advises that if a repair will cost more than $50 you should ask for a written estimate, and that your permission is required if the cost will be more than 10 percent over the original estimate. These protections come from the Attorney General's motor vehicle repair rule under the Consumer Sales Practices Act (Ohio Adm. Code 109:4-3-13). Shops that repair collision damage must register with the state.