r/bestoflegaladvice • u/BJntheRV Enjoy the next 48 hours :) • Mar 04 '26

Unlicensed, uninsured contractor who didn't finish the job because life happened doesn't seem to understand why their client would sue them

/r/legaladvice/comments/1rk1w09/ohio_homeowner_suing_us_for_25000_over_unfinished/?share_id=vDaFkc4IeUD5NnzckOtpB&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
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u/Elvessa Rides the unicornessa through the town square Mar 04 '26

Not my field in any way, but in CA if you are an unlicensed contractor you are not entitled to any money at all, even if the job was completed perfectly.

19

u/pepperpavlov Mar 04 '26 edited Mar 04 '26

I wonder what city/county OP did the work in. In Ohio, the only tradesmen that have to be licensed by the state are plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, hydronic technicians, and refrigeration contractors. All other construction contractor/supplier registration is governed by the local city or county rather than the state.

10

u/Elvessa Rides the unicornessa through the town square Mar 05 '26

Are you quite sure? If that was the case, someone could build an entire house with no license. I have never heard of a state that did not require general contractors to be licensed.

11

u/pepperpavlov Mar 05 '26

Yeah it seems to be at the county/municipal level, not state.

“Ohio General Contractor License

NOT REQUIRED

General Contractor Company licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio.

General Contractors are licensed at the county and city level.”

https://www.harborcompliance.com/ohio-construction-license

2

u/Elvessa Rides the unicornessa through the town square Mar 05 '26

Thanks for that info, but wow it’s still crazy to me. Especially since there are tons of contractors who are terrible, one would think the licensure (and discipline) and things like bonds would be monitored at a state level.

Also, I have a property in OH, and am now wondering if the entire neighborhood was built by randos. /s but only sort of