Ohio Contractor Complaints: How to File and What Happens Next

Two Enforcement Tracks

Ohio handles contractor complaints through two separate channels depending on the type of work and the violation. Understanding which one applies to your situation determines where to file and what remedies are available.

The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section

For residential contractor disputes — shoddy work, contract violations, excessive deposits, abandoned projects — the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section is the primary enforcement authority. This office handles complaints under both the Consumer Sales Practices Act (ORC Chapter 1345) and the Home Construction Service Suppliers Act (ORC Chapter 4722).

What triggers an investigation: Homeowner complaints filed through the AG's website, anonymous tips, and patterns of complaints against the same contractor. The AG can also initiate investigations proactively based on consumer complaint data.

Enforcement powers: The AG can subpoena business records, issue cease-and-desist orders, seek injunctions, and impose civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation. For contractors who take deposits and disappear or consistently fail to deliver contracted work, the AG can pursue consumer restitution orders requiring the contractor to refund affected homeowners.

CSPA vs. HCSSA matters: For residential contracts under $25,000, the CSPA allows treble (triple) damages in consumer lawsuits — meaning a homeowner who proves a violation can recover three times their actual losses. For contracts of $25,000 or more, the HCSSA applies instead, which doesn't include the treble damage provision but carries strict contractual disclosure requirements.

The OCILB Investigation Process

For commercial specialty trade work — electrical, HVAC, hydronics, plumbing, and refrigeration — the OCILB investigates complaints against licensed and unlicensed practitioners.

Pulling permits for unlicensed competitors is a severe violation. The OCILB considers this grounds for immediate license suspension or revocation. The licensed individual must be the active "contractor in charge" on all permitted projects and must be readily available to meet with OCILB investigators.

License assignment violations are another common complaint trigger. A state trade license can be assigned to only one contracting company at a time, and using the license across multiple entities or allowing a secondary DBA to pull permits under the license violates ORC 4740.06.

Unlicensed Contractor Penalties

Operating as an unlicensed contractor in areas that require registration carries escalating consequences:

• Municipal penalties: Cities can issue stop-work orders, revoke permits, and assess fines. In Cincinnati, starting work before a building permit is issued triggers an investigation fee equal to double the standard permit fee, plus potential civil penalties.
• OCILB violations: Performing commercial specialty trade work without an OCILB license is a violation of ORC Chapter 4740. The board can refer cases to the Attorney General for civil enforcement.
• Insurance gaps: Without proper registration, a contractor's liability insurance may not cover claims arising from unpermitted work, leaving the contractor personally liable for damages and injuries.
• Mechanic's lien risks: A contractor who performs work without required permits or registrations may find their mechanic's lien rights challenged. Making false statements on a lien affidavit — such as claiming the work was properly permitted when it wasn't — constitutes an unconscionable business practice that can result in forfeiture of lien rights and civil liability.

Filing a Complaint

Against a residential contractor: File through the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at ohioattorneygeneral.gov. Include your contract, payment records, photos of the work, and any communications with the contractor.

Against a licensed specialty trade contractor: File through the OCILB at the Division of Industrial Compliance. Include the contractor's license number and the permit information for the project.

Knowing Your Rights and Obligations

The Ohio General Contractor License Guide covers the regulatory framework from the contractor's side — the specific registration, insurance, and contractual requirements you need to meet to stay on the right side of both the AG's office and the OCILB. Compliance is cheaper than enforcement.

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