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Home-service quotes are full of shorthand: OCILB, NEC, permit pull, Manual J, lien waiver, workers' comp. This glossary defines the words a homeowner should understand before approving a repair, replacement, inspection, or contractor agreement in Ohio.
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ACI
The American Concrete Institute, a major source of concrete standards, testing certifications, and technical guidance.
Related: NRMCA
AHRI
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. Its directory verifies matched HVAC equipment ratings and efficiency certificates.
Related: SEER, Manual J load calculation
BBB Accreditation
A voluntary paid relationship with the Better Business Bureau. It is not the same thing as a state trade license or government verification.
Related: Ohio eLicense
Certificate of occupancy
A local document allowing a building or changed space to be legally occupied after required inspections and approvals are complete.
Related: Final inspection, Municipal registration
Change order
A written adjustment to the original scope, price, or schedule after a project starts. It should state what changed and what it costs.
Related: Time and materials, Mechanic's lien
Combustion analyzer
A diagnostic tool that measures flue gases, carbon monoxide, oxygen, draft, and efficiency on furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.
Related: Manometer
Diagnostic fee
A fee for finding the cause of a problem before quoting repair work. Ask whether the fee is waived or credited if you approve the job.
Related: Trip charge
EPA RRP
The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting rule for work that disturbs lead-based paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities.
Related: Lead abatement, Workers' comp
EPA Section 608
Federal certification required for technicians who handle regulated refrigerants in air conditioners, heat pumps, refrigerators, and freezers.
Related: R-22 / R-410A, SEER
Final inspection
The last permit inspection confirming that the permitted work is complete and acceptable for use under the local code.
Related: Inspection, Certificate of occupancy
Fixed bid
A set project price for a defined scope. It reduces price uncertainty but should spell out exclusions and how change orders are handled.
Related: Time and materials, Change order
GAF Master Elite
A manufacturer credential for a limited group of roofing contractors that meet GAF requirements for licensing, insurance, reputation, and training.
Related: Manufacturer certification
General liability insurance
Business insurance that can cover property damage or injury claims caused by the contractor's operations, subject to policy limits and exclusions.
Related: Workers' comp
Inspection
A review by a building official or inspector to confirm that permitted work follows applicable code before it is approved.
Related: Rough-in inspection, Final inspection
ISA Certified Arborist
A tree-care credential from the International Society of Arboriculture showing tested knowledge of arboriculture and continuing education.
Related: TCIA
Lead abatement
Specialized work intended to permanently reduce or eliminate lead hazards. It is different from ordinary renovation that simply follows lead-safe practices.
Related: EPA RRP
License qualifier
The individual whose exam, experience, and bond support a contractor license. The business name and qualifier name may differ in public records.
Related: Ohio eLicense, OCILB
Lien waiver
A document stating that a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier gives up lien rights for the amount paid.
Related: Mechanic's lien
Manometer
A measuring tool used by HVAC, plumbing, and gas technicians to verify gas pressure, draft, or pressure differences in inches of water column.
Related: Combustion analyzer
Manual J load calculation
An HVAC sizing calculation that estimates heating and cooling load from insulation, windows, orientation, air leakage, square footage, and local weather.
Manufacturer certification
A credential from a product manufacturer showing that a contractor is approved or trained to install that brand's materials or equipment.
Related: GAF Master Elite, AHRI
Mechanic's lien
A legal claim against property for unpaid construction labor, materials, or services. Homeowners should use written contracts and lien waivers on larger jobs.
Related: Lien waiver, Change order
Municipal registration
A city or township contractor registration that may be required even when Ohio does not issue a statewide trade license for that work.
Related: Permit pull, Certificate of occupancy
NEC
The National Electrical Code, the model electrical safety code adopted by states and local jurisdictions with local amendments.
Related: Panel upgrade, Permit pull
NRMCA
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, which publishes ready-mix concrete resources and plant or personnel certification programs.
Related: ACI
OCILB
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, the state board that licenses commercial plumbing, HVAC, electrical, hydronics, and refrigeration contractors in Ohio.
Related: Ohio eLicense, ORC 4740
Ohio eLicense
Ohio's public license lookup portal. Homeowners use it to confirm whether a contractor license is current, expired, suspended, or revoked.
Related: OCILB, License qualifier
ORC 4740
The section of the Ohio Revised Code that governs OCILB contractor licensing for covered commercial construction trades.
Related: OCILB
Panel upgrade
Replacing or increasing an electrical service panel, often from 100 amps to 200 amps, usually requiring permit, utility coordination, and inspection.
Related: NEC, Permit pull
Permit pull
The act of applying for and obtaining a building permit under a contractor or homeowner name before regulated work begins.
Related: Inspection, Certificate of occupancy
R-22 / R-410A
Common refrigerants found in older and newer HVAC systems. R-22 is phased out, while R-410A is being replaced by newer lower-GWP refrigerants.
Related: EPA Section 608
Rough-in inspection
An inspection before walls are closed, when plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or framing work is still visible to the building official.
Related: Inspection, Permit pull
SEER
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, an efficiency rating for air-conditioning and heat-pump cooling performance over a typical season.
Related: AHRI, EPA Section 608
TCIA
The Tree Care Industry Association, a trade association that publishes safety, training, accreditation, and business standards for tree-care companies.
Related: ISA Certified Arborist
Time and materials
A pricing model where the homeowner pays for actual labor time plus materials, often with a markup. It is flexible but less predictable than a fixed bid.
Related: Fixed bid, Change order
Trip charge
A dispatch or travel fee charged for sending a technician to the home. Some companies credit it toward approved repairs.
Related: Diagnostic fee
Workers' comp
Insurance covering employee workplace injuries. Homeowners should confirm coverage when crews will work on-site, especially on roofing, tree, or demolition jobs.
Related: General liability insurance