GC Laws — Ohio contractor-law checklist preview (free)
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. Public summaries remain free on gclaws.com.

[ ] Licensing
      - Sections 4740.01 and 4740.13 require the appropriate license before acting or holding oneself out as an HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing or hydronics contractor within the chapter.
      - The chapter’s construction-project definition excludes residential buildings and industrialized units; it is not a blanket license rule for every residential trade job.

[ ] Mechanic's liens
      - Where a notice of commencement has been recorded, covered subcontractors and suppliers ordinarily serve a notice of furnishing within 21 days after first furnishing on the statutory recipients. Direct-owner claimants, laborers and home-construction contracts have exceptions; late notice ordinarily protects only the preceding 21 days and later work.
      - File the lien affidavit with the county recorder within 60 days after last furnishing for one- or two-family dwellings and residential condominium units; otherwise ordinarily 75 days. Section 1311.021 claims use 120 days.
      - Serve the filed affidavit on the owner, part owner, lessee or designee within 30 days; the statutory alternative posting procedure applies if service cannot be completed.

[ ] Retainage
      - The current §153.12(A), effective September 17, 2026, limits ordinary labor-estimate retention to 4% through its 96% minimum-payment rule.
      - When the major portion is substantially completed and occupied, in use or accepted, and no other withholding reason exists, associated retained funds and accrued interest are paid within 30 days, less what is reasonably necessary for final completion. Remaining retained funds and interest are due within 30 days after final completion.
      - Inspected stored materials are paid at 92% of invoice cost, subject to the statutory bid-price ceiling; the balance is paid when incorporated. This is a separate materials rule.

[ ] Prompt payment
      - Covered contractors and downstream payors pay the applicable subcontractor or supplier share within 10 calendar days after receiving corresponding payment. Contractual retainage and amounts necessary to resolve disputed liens or claims may be withheld.
      - Noncompliance carries 18% annual interest beginning on day 11 after receipt. Final retainage is passed down within 10 days or the shorter contract period once satisfactory performance and owner approval conditions are met.

[ ] Prevailing wage
      - The statutory definitions distinguish ordinary public improvements from road/bridge-connected work; the latter has biennially adjusted thresholds and must not use the ordinary $250,000/$75,000 figures.
      - Before bids or agency construction, the public authority obtains Commerce’s applicable local prevailing-wage schedule and includes it in the work specifications, subject to the statute’s exceptions.

[ ] Davis-Bacon (federal)
      - Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits.
      - Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions.
      - The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract.
      - Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act.
      - SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification.

This preview lists the topics and rules covered in the full state pack. The paid pack adds the complete source URLs, citations, review dates, and the three editable tools.
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