Permits, licensing and questions to ask before hiring paving contractors in Ohio

By Zwings LLC · Published 2026-11-10T00:00:00.000Z · Updated 2026-11-10

Start with a clear scope

Before hiring paving contractors in Ohio, write down what you want done and what you need to check before work starts. Describe the area, the surface you want, and any problems you have noticed. Include standing water, broken edges, cracks, uneven areas, or trouble getting vehicles in and out. Share the same description with each contractor so you can compare proposals that address the same job.

Ask each contractor to explain the proposed work in plain language. Does the proposal cover surface treatment, repairs, removal, or replacement? What preparation is included? Where does the work begin and end? Point out nearby sidewalks, drains, garage entrances, landscaping, and property boundaries. Ask the contractor to identify any unanswered questions that could change the scope. Keep those questions with your notes and resolve them before signing a contract or authorizing work.

Ask the local office about permits

Contact the city or county building or health office and describe your project. Ask which office can answer questions about permits, approvals, inspections, and work near public property. Give the project address and explain if the work includes a driveway entrance, sidewalk, drainage change, grading, or excavation. Ask what applies to that specific location and scope. If another office handles the question, request the office name and contact information.

For Mentor only, the Mentor Engineering Department requires a Right-of-Way Paving Permit for apron and sidewalk paving within the public right-of-way. That statement is specific to Mentor. Ask the city or county building or health office about your own project instead of applying that rule elsewhere.

Put responsibility for any applicable permit or approval in the written agreement. Ask who will contact the office, submit documents, and arrange any required inspection. Keep copies of the office’s responses and any project documents you receive.

Clarify what licensing covers

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, within the Ohio Department of Commerce, issues state licenses to electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing and hydronics contractors who perform commercial work. Keep that scope in mind when discussing a paving contractor’s licensing claim. Ask the contractor to identify the credential, the issuing agency, and the work it covers.

Ask the city or county building or health office which office can confirm any licensing or registration requirements that apply to your project. Explain the proposed work rather than asking only if a contractor needs a license. If the project includes work by another trade, ask who will perform that part and what credentials apply.

Write down the contractor’s full legal name and the name that will appear on the agreement. Ask the issuing agency how to verify any credential presented. Resolve differences between the proposal, credential, and contracting name before you authorize the work.

Settle digging questions before starting

OHIO811 states that Ohio law requires any person digging, including digging by hand, to notify OHIO811 before starting. OHIO811 asks for notice at least 2 working days before you dig, not counting the day of the notice, and no more than 16 calendar days before.

Ask the contractor if the proposed work involves digging. Discuss removal, grading, excavation, edging, and any other part of the scope that could disturb the ground. Ask who will notify OHIO811 and how that responsibility will be documented. Keep the notice information with your project records.

If the work changes after the initial discussion, raise the digging question again. Ask OHIO811 about questions concerning the notice and ask the contractor how the changed scope will be handled. Make sure everyone involved understands the agreed limits of the work before equipment arrives or ground disturbance begins.

Check insurance details

Ask for current insurance documentation that identifies the business you are contracting with. Request an explanation of the coverage relevant to the proposed work. Ask how to verify the documentation with the insurance agent or insurer. If names differ between the proposal and insurance documents, ask for an explanation before signing.

Discuss who will perform the work. Will the contractor use employees, subcontractors, or both? Ask who is responsible for checking coverage for everyone involved. Direct questions about coverage limits, exclusions, and your own exposure to the insurance agent or your insurer. Describe the actual project so the conversation addresses the work being proposed.

Ask how damage or an injury would be reported and who would be your contact. Include a process for documenting concerns in the agreement. Keep insurance documents, contact details, photos, and correspondence together. A general statement about being insured still leaves details for you to verify.

Put the agreement in writing

Request a written contract that identifies both parties and describes the project location and work area. Ask it to spell out preparation, materials, repairs, removal, disposal, and cleanup. Have the contractor explain technical terms. Include any promises that influenced your decision, along with clear exclusions and the responsibilities you will handle.

Discuss drainage, transitions, edges, access, and protection of nearby property. Ask how proposed materials and preparation relate to the conditions at your site. If something remains unknown, ask how it will be evaluated and how a change will be approved. Require written agreement on changes before the added work begins.

Include payment terms, the process for addressing incomplete work, and any warranty offered. Ask what the warranty covers, what it excludes, and how to request service. Discuss weather interruptions and access restrictions without assuming a completion date. Keep a signed copy and review unresolved items with the contractor before authorizing the start.

Questions for the first call

Use the first call to learn how the contractor would approach your project. Keep your scope notes nearby and record the answers. Ask for written follow-up on details that will affect the agreement.

Do you perform the type of paving or repair work I need? Who will visit the property and prepare the proposal? What site conditions will you evaluate before recommending the work?

What preparation, materials, removal, and cleanup would your proposal include? How would you address the drainage concerns or damaged areas I have described? What information do you need from me?

Who will ask the local office about applicable permits or approvals? Does the scope involve digging, and who will notify OHIO811? What licensing or registration credentials are you presenting, and which agency issued them?

Can I verify your insurance documentation with the agent or insurer? Will subcontractors be involved? Who will supervise the work and answer my questions?

How do you document changes, payment terms, warranty terms, and unresolved work? What must we confirm before work starts? Use the answers to identify gaps and request a written proposal that addresses them.