Cleveland’s cultural identity stems from its past, and today it contains a vibrant mix of families, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and college students of all nationalities and cultures. With its vast range of outdoor activities, a world-class theater district, a solid healthcare system, and more, the North Coast is a fantastic Midwestern city to call home. Residents of the Greater Cleveland area flock to the city center to satiate their appetites at award-winning restaurants and experience the cultural education places like the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland offer. This city is home to several well-known organizations, huge corporations, and research facilities, so there are plenty of job opportunities throughout the city. Thanks to the city’s booming economy and thriving job market, Cleveland, Ohio, is the perfect place to enter the commercial market. 

If you are looking to start a business in the area, then get to know ten of the best commercial contractors in Cleveland, Ohio. These contractors were evaluated based on their experience, expertise, impressive portfolios, and track records.


AM Higley

3636 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

AM Highly has been in the industry for nearly a century and has solidified its reputation as one of the leading construction firms in Ohio. Since its inception in 1925, the firm has earned an impressive portfolio of ​over 10,000 projects totaling more than $8 billion of construction. It has completed exceptional projects for various commercial industries, including healthcare, education, corporate, cultural, hospitality, and the government. 

The firm remains committed to helping its clients realize their goals and visions while maintaining its core principles of honesty, integrity, and mutual respect. It continuously strives to improve its systems, procedures, and technologies to ensure its clients’ smooth and efficient construction experience. The firm’s team of construction experts is committed to providing the best-in-class service, inventive solutions, and outstanding customer service. 

The firm has been featured in several magazines, including Properties Magazine, Ohio Magazine, Blueprint Magazine, Architect Magazine, and Smart Business Magazine. In 2018, the firm provided construction management services to complete the renovation of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Cleveland. The project included upgrades to the main lobby, registration spaces, elevator lobbies, pre-function areas, banquet hall, fitness center, and the hotel’s 5-star restaurant. Complete finish replacement and updating of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, elevator renovations, and a new porte-cochère at the hotel’s entrance were also part of the project.


Gilbane Building Company

950 Main Avenue, Suite 1410, Cleveland, OH 44113

In 1870, Gilbane Building Company started as a small carpentry firm before expanding into a full-service general contractor. With an impressive 151 years of construction experience, the firm has provided complete construction and facilities management services throughout the United States. The family-owned firm’s rich history spans six generations and has completed exceptional projects such as commercial construction and tenant improvements.

The firm applies sustainable practices and Lean construction technology to ensure projects are completed efficiently at a high level of quality. The firm has used its experience and capabilities to manage high-quality commercial projects that meet its client’s specific needs and goals. This strategy has resulted in plenty of positive feedback from satisfied clients with an 85% rate of return clients. 

In the featured project, the firm provided construction management services for the Cleveland State University Recreation Center. The new facility features a fitness center, three basketball courts, racquetball courts, a 1/10-mile track, a juice bar, executive rooms, and an underground parking garage. A pedestrian bridge connecting the facility to a 400-car parking structure was also planned. The safety of students, staff, visitors, and trade contractors was critical to the new recreation center’s success.


Ozanne

1635 E 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Ozanne Construction Company is a Cleveland-based construction firm that offers comprehensive services throughout the Midwest and the Southern United States. The firm’s services include construction management agency (CMA), construction management at risk (CMR), design-build, general contracting, program management, owner’s representative, and task order contracting. 

With nearly seven decades of extensive experience, the firm is dedicated to delivering the highest quality construction services to its clients at competitive prices. The firm’s talented, diverse, ethical, and dedicated professional staff strives for efficiency and excellence on every project. It handles every project with a personalized and collaborative approach to ensure successful outcomes. 

In 2016, Ozanne provided design-build services to complete the Hilton Cleveland Convention Center Hotel. This hotel is the result of a collaboration with Cooper Cary Architects and links Cleveland Convention Center – Global Center for Health Innovation to the downtown mall. A 28-level tower with 600 guest rooms, a four-level podium with ballrooms and retail space, and a rooftop bar are all a part of this stunning hotel.


Geis Companies

2017 E 9th Street, Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44115

In 1967 Erwin Geis established Geis Companies in Macedonia, Ohio. Fifty-four years of continuous expansion later, the firm is still focusing on providing superior project execution. The firm has grown into a multi-million dollar development and construction firm, winning several awards in the process, including the 2021 Development of the Year Award from the Ruth Ratner Miller Luncheon and the 2019 The Award of Excellence from the Cleveland Engineering Society. 

Over the years, the firm has gained a remarkable portfolio that includes 1,172 projects in various industries. The firm has proven its ability to deliver superior quality and value with its highly-skilled staff. The firm delivers unique, well-thought-out designs and meticulous project management to ensure projects are consistently on time and within budget. 

Located in Cleveland, The Metropolitan at The 9 is one of the firm’s best. The new downtown Cleveland hotel offers an indoor dog park, a fitness studio, and the Alex Theater for live concerts and movies. The hotel has 156 guest rooms and suites ranging from 400 to 650 square feet, roughly double the normal hotel room size.


John G. Johnson Construction Company

1284 Riverbed Street, Cleveland, OH 44113

Since 1943, John G. Johnson Construction Company (JGJ) has provided remarkable projects throughout Cuyahoga County and its nearby areas. With over seventy years of experience, the firm has cemented its reputation as a leading commercial contractor delivering construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. The firm has completed projects for a wide range of industries, including education, healthcare, municipal, and multifamily. 

With its high-quality craftsmanship and outstanding customer service, the firm has earned positive reviews from satisfied clients, resulting in a high rate of repeat customers. The firm’s client-focused process combined with a collaborative team approach allows it to achieve successful outcomes. Its extensive expertise and knowledge base have resulted in exceptional projects delivered on time and on budget. 

One of the firm’s notable works is the Starbucks at Hotel Breakers, located in Sandusky. To provide a serene and contemporary retreat from the fast-paced world, the firm used bright, loft-like, light-filled areas accentuated with the large windows and natural wooden elements.


Pride One Construction

2211 Medina Road, Suite #100, Medina, OH 44256

Pride One Construction was established in 1993 as a property developer and builder of age-targeted homes for Cluster Home Communities. The firm has shifted its focus to commercial development and construction throughout the years. Its impressive portfolio consists of exceptional apartments, hotels, conference centers, student housing, assisted living facilities, and churches in Cuyahoga County and neighboring areas. 

The firm is dedicated to delivering the best-in-class strategy, operations, and fulfillment. It consistently improves and perfects its construction processes by researching industry trends, creative techniques, and inventive solutions. The firm also focuses on building solid partnerships to ensure a smooth and seamless process for its clients. 

In 2015, Pride One Construction completed the historic restoration of The Truman Building, known as the “Ivory On Euclid.” Originally built in 1901, this six-story structure served primarily as office space with first-floor retail. The new building features 29 luxury apartments with on-site parking and a commercial floor on the ground level.


JTL Construction

5201 Grant Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44125

JTL Construction was founded in 2004 by Jeff Leonard as a residential contracting company that caters to Ohio and the nearby area. The firm quickly expanded its services into the commercial industry. JTL Construction’s portfolio includes a combination of residential and commercial projects including custom-built homes and remodels, new construction, commercial tenant interiors, hospitality, retail, and basic carpentry. 

During its seventeen years in the industry, JTL Construction has consistently exceeded clients’ expectations through its unmatched level of communication, technical knowledge, and attention to detail. The firm handles each project with a hands-on, personalized, and meticulous approach. This strategy allows the firm to efficiently complete tasks while maintaining a high standard. 

In this featured project, the firm provided tenant improvement services to the BDO Branch in Cleveland, Ohio. The entire project consisted of 18,600 square feet of renovation, resulting in a new and improved space that is sleek, sophisticated, and modern.


Lawler Construction

750 Beta Drive, Unit H Cleveland, OH 44143

Lawler Construction is a Cleveland-based commercial construction firm founded in 2006. Its remarkable portfolio contains beautiful projects throughout Northeast Ohio. The firm provides construction management, general contracting, estimating, feasibility, and carpentry service for a wide range of projects. Its experience includes building in the retail, educational, industrial, food, and multifamily markets.

The firm prioritizes long-term relationships with its clients and trade partners, resulting in smooth and seamless transactions. The firm’s open and collaborative approach with its stakeholders has resulted in consistently exceptional projects. This approach has resulted in several positive reviews and repeat clients from satisfied customers. 

In the featured project, the firm provided general contracting services to The Jolly Scholar Restaurant. This project had extensive mechanical and electrical requirements, including several major code issue corrections and complete replacement of the hoods, exhaust fans, and make-up air unit.


Greater Cleveland Construction

1148 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Since 1994, Greater Cleveland Construction has provided professional building services to commercial, industrial, and non-profit clients throughout Cleveland and the surrounding area. In addition to construction management and general contracting, the firm also offers design-build services. Its varied portfolio of projects and its extensive experience renovating existing and older structures serves as a testament to the firm’s high-quality work.

The firm provides a one-stop-shop solution for its clients, handling every intricate detail of the project from start to finish. Its hands-on, meticulous approach, open communication, and dedication to transparency allow the firm to deliver successful projects that meet clients’ demands and requirements.

As an example of the craftsmanship of Greater Cleveland Construction, consider the work they performed on one unused office space and lunchroom. They turned the facility into a stunning culinary showroom for the KAPPUS Company. Demolition, asbestos removal, HVAC work, plumbing, sprinklers, door replacement/repair, window replacement, metal/stud drywall, new lighting, painting, and a polished concrete floor were all necessary for the 1,600-square-foot facility. Their success on such a multi-faceted project proves that no matter what your needs, they have the solutions to help you accomplish your construction goals.


Skoda Construction Inc.

784 Som Center Road, Mayfield Village, OH 44143 

For over three decades, Skoda Construction has provided new home construction, custom house building, commercial construction, and restoration services to Cleveland. This family-owned firm’s experience spans generations; they’ve been providing quality construction to households and commercial real estate developers for years. The firm is dedicated to offering 100 percent customer satisfaction to businesses, whether its simple office remodeling or full-scale condominium construction.  

The firm’s devoted and highly qualified staff is committed to working swiftly and efficiently to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget. The firm assists the client with the project’s design, costing, scheduling, and construction, guaranteeing no detail is missed. For works of all sizes, it delivers personal attention, prompt response, and fair rates.

In the featured project, the firm focused on bringing a traditional, rustic styling to the space. The color scheme chosen is simple and uncomplicated, focused on earthy tones from the wall colors to the soft furnishings. The firm successfully created a pleasant and inviting feel for this restaurant with straightforward, warm tones.