Maya RichardsonMy friend recently bought a century-old house because she’s into fairy tales and loves early-1900s architecture. Still, she believed it needed a bunch of small updates and moderate renovations.
At first, she thought she could handle the easy fixes herself—painting walls, swapping fixtures, and patching some floors. It was her way of saving money too.
But that plan quickly backfired when she noticed uneven framing and old wiring around her home. Turns out, she also needed help with the quick repairs.
Feeling lost, she asked me to help her dig through reliable general contractors in Columbus. We compared companies that balance craftsmanship with practicality. So if you are also working on a home project of any size, check out our shortlist.
How much do general contractors charge in Columbus?
General contractors in Columbus typically charge between 10% and 20% of the total project cost. For smaller projects or specialized work, they can cost you $50 to $150 per hour.
1. Steller Construction
Address: 400 Lazelle Rd #5
Contact Details:
- +1 614 987 8609
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Steller Construction is among the most reliable general contractors in Columbus. Starting with residential remodeling, they later expanded to light commercial work and added historic preservation for northern city neighborhoods.
Bryan Lipps and Tim Huter founded the company in 2013 and bring over 20 years of executive management experience in the hospitality industry.
The bulk of their work covers bathroom and kitchen remodels and room additions. In case of damage, we find it helpful that they handle restoration, electrical, and plumbing as well.
Their prices aren’t listed online, but we appreciate that they stress value over lowest bids. The staff is thorough in comparing multiple factors—the scope, materials, timelines, and warranties to avoid cutting corners.
However, a client we spoke with mentioned that their rates can run slightly higher than those of basic Columbus contractors. We think this is likely due to their premium materials and expertise for a full service.
They made sure everything was done right and clean
“We had Steller repair a garage wall that was finished drywall on the inside and stone on the outside. They did a great job and everyone they had work on it were great. Rob checked the progress and made sure everything was done right and clean when they were done. Steller exceeded my expectations”
-Gene Zoll, Google Review
The quality of the work is excellent
“We’ve hired Steller for two renovation projects on our home and couldn’t be happier. The quality of the work is excellent but what sets them apart is the experience provided from their team. They were patient as we discussed several different ideas and took time to make a decision. The team wanted to make sure we were comfortable and never felt rushed. Living through a home renovation is always going to be challenging but the entire Steller team provided a great experience. From initial consults, design appointments, weekly schedules so you know who’s coming in and when, and the project manager being very responsive made our experience pretty seamless. Everyone who worked on our house was friendly and cleaned up before leaving for the day. Great people to work with, would recommend!”
-Peter Golato, Google Review
2. Ohio Property Brothers
Contact Details:
- +1 614 402 8286
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Ohio Property Brothers offers full-service residential remodeling with a family-run approach. What sets them apart is their quality granite work and custom cabinetry in Central Ohio.
Brothers Brian and David Hayes have led the team since 2014. Brian manages the daily operations and sales in Columbus, while David oversees strategic planning and operations in Cincinnati.
They draw from their hands-on experience to deliver kitchens and bathroom renovations with modern and European design touches. Additionally, we like their signature woodwork, creating some remarkable custom pieces.
Their staff also charges pretty standard fees for a typical job, from $50,000 to $500,000. This is usually comprehensive, including everything from the initial consultation to the final close-out.
Just note that their capacity is limited to residential or non-commercial work. As we see it, they might not take large-scale developments that other broader contractors offer.
Organized, transparent, and committed to delivering quality work
“We had a great experience working with this general contractor on our home renovation. They were organized, transparent, and committed to delivering quality work. The team showed up on time each day and maintained excellent communication throughout the project. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship truly stand out. The project was completed on schedule and within budget. We’re very happy with the results and would confidently hire them again for future projects.”
-Gethin Nicholson, Google Review
Excellent basement remodel by a professional remodeling contractor
“Amazing to work with! High attention to detail and great customer service. Excellent basement remodel by a professional remodeling contractor in Columbus, Ohio. The remodel work was high quality from demo to painting , and the entire project was completed on time with great attention to detail. Highly recommend for basement remodeling in Columbus.”
-Five Guys Painting, Google Review
3. Nicholson
Address: 6525 Busch Blvd
Contact Details:
- +1 614 846 7388
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Nicholson delivers award-winning design-build remodeling tailored for Central Ohio homes. We also like that they emphasize having in-house architects and long-term client partnerships over quick flips.
Owner Bill Nicholson founded them in 2003 after years in the trade, and the company has since grown into a go-to for detailed renovations. These pros have even earned National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) awards, such as Remodeler of the Year in 2024.
We think these recognitions showcase the effectiveness of their full design-build process with pro designers and quality craftsmanship.
Other than that, they conveniently have a small projects division for fast fixes that we reckon some rivals skip. For us, that makes them reliable for most project sizes.
As for the fees, they’ll set you back anywhere from $500 to $100,000, indicating a wide range of acceptable projects. While their minor repairs are affordable, their full-service rates are considered premium.
Just note that their busy schedule can cause delays in project starts during peak seasons, such as spring or summer remodel rushes.
The unique aesthetic and flawless execution are simply breathtaking
“Can’t get enough of your designs! The unique aesthetic and flawless execution are simply breathtaking. Count me as your biggest fan from MesonArt!”
-Stephen Huang, Google Review
Trustworthy company that does exceptional work
“We could not be more pleased with the work that Nicholson Builders did in our home. Not only was the work professionally done, but the workers were a pleasure as well. During the many weeks they were here, they arrived on time, cleaned up when they were done, and knew how to handle every situation that came up. It’s nice to finally find a trustworthy company that does exceptional work!”
-Lori Murray, Google Review
4. Capital City Construction & Remodeling
Address: 8720 Orion Pl 124 C
Contact Details:
- +1 614 774 2851
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Sun: Closed
Capital City Construction & Remodeling is a reputable option for hands-on residential and custom home building. They were founded in 2012, and their team has over 50 years of combined experience.
This mainly applies to cabinets, flooring, and painting. We like that they have an eye for both modern design and functional layout, ensuring a good balance in the outcome.
You can easily get a free estimate from their staff, and their rates range from $5,000 to $50,000, typical for area entry-level contractors.
We appreciate their 24/7 availability as well. A client we interviewed praised their customer service, which won her over faster than those with a mainstream name.
Nonetheless, we noticed that they have a smaller portfolio than other bigger contractors. In our view, this can also mean limited design options, so it’s best to discuss your vision at length to avoid disappointment.
Professional, timely, and detailed in everything they did
“Capital City Construction & Remodeling did an amazing job remodeling both my home and my shop. From start to finish, their team was professional, timely, and detailed in everything they did. The craftsmanship was top-notch, and they made sure every part of the project matched exactly what I wanted. Communication was great throughout the whole process, and they went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality remodeling work!”
-Gus Centes, Google Review
Really took their time to understand my vision
“I had a great experience with Capital Constructions and Remodeling. From start to finish, their team was professional, reliable, and skilled. They really took the time to understand my vision and delivered top-quality work on time and within budget. Whether it was the kitchen remodel or the bathroom updates, everything turned out beautifully. I highly recommend them for anyone looking for excellent construction and remodeling services!”
-Ty Hampton, Google Review
5. Dave Fox
Address: 3505 W Dublin-Granville Rd
Contact Details:
- +1 614 459 7211
- [email protected]
Business Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Sat-Sun: Closed
Operating since 1982, Dave Fox stands out as Central Ohio’s largest employee-owned remodeling firm, offering luxury design-build projects.
They became 100% employee-owned by 2003—no outside investors. This means the workers have significant accountability. They have their own stakes, so we think they are likely to align their personal success with the company’s reputation.
We believe this has led to them getting consistent National Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year (NARI CotY) awards since 1986.
They even designed the original plan for Central Ohio’s first Habitat for Humanity house in 1987, pioneering affordable housing blueprints locally.
And if you have a fancy vision, it helps that their team is experts in high-end kitchens and baths with innovative structural design.
Typical jobs here cost $60,000 to $250,000, which is on the premium side in Columbus. We feel this makes sense, since they do tons of luxury remodels rather than basic designs.
But as you know, their upscale focus skips single-room paint or small fixes. Should you only need minor handyman tasks, we feel they might not be the most suitable option.
They listened to us and designed the perfect space
“Dave Fox Remodeling was everything we needed and more. Greg and Michelle listened to us and designed the perfect space to let us grow older, safely in our home. They respected our budget too! Nick was our project manager and made all the details, big and small a reality. His crew was fantastic. Christian, Rob and Jeff worked through freezing temperatures to get the foundation ready. Braydon and Brenden were master craftsmen. Chet, Andrew and Tim worked hard to finish the project. The plumbers Dave, Jared and Nick along with the electricians did a perfect job. We are so happy that we chose DFR for our addition! Thank you Dave Fox!”
-Maryellen Sasso, Google Review
Top-notch, friendly, and true craftspeople
“We used DFR to remodel our kitchen. They did a fabulous job. I still can’t get over how much I love my new kitchen. They provide great design ideas and the professionals that do the work are top-notch, friendly and are true craftspeople in their perspective trades. They maintained an open line of communication and they treated our home with respect. Their most endearing quality was their effort to get along with and work around a somewhat large and over rambunctious GSD puppy. I highly recommend DFR and would use them again in a heartbeat.”
-Diana Butts, Google Review
