Washington Contractor License Search

Who Is a Contractor in Washington?

A contractor is a person or business that provides services based on an oral or written agreement. To operate in Washington, contractors must obtain a license from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (Department of L&I). There are two major types of contractors in the state:

• General Contractors: Per Washington construction law, this class of contractors undertakes, supervises, or provides consulting services in projects that require more than one building craft. An example is a contractor that executes a home improvement project involving the services of a carpenter, plumber, and electrician. A general contractor can undertake several kinds of construction, including residential, industrial, and highway projects.
• Specialty Contractors: Specialty contractors are licensed for a particular construction craft. Examples of specialty contractors are electricians, HVAC technicians, and roofers. Specialty contractors cannot undertake full projects. Instead, they are subcontracted by general contractors to perform their specialized tasks and are often referred to as "subcontractors". The Department of L&I offers 63 kinds of specialty contractor licenses.

How to Search for a Contractor's License in Washington

Washington contractor licenses are issued at the state level. You can confirm whether a contractor is licensed with the help of the Uhire professional license search tool or the Department of L&I's verify license tool. Conducting a search using these tools requires you to provide the contractor's name, license number, worker's identification number (WID), or Unified Business Identifier (UBI).

Penalty for Hiring a Contractor without a License in Washington

Washington does not specifically criminalize hiring an unlicensed contractor. Nonetheless, doing so exposes you to several risks, like the following:

• Having an unqualified person work on your project and provide substandard or defective work.
• Causing hazards in your property due to non-adherence to safety and building standards.
• Having to pay for project-related injuries, damages, and lawsuits because the contractor is not insured and bonded.
• Potential violation of your local building codes because the contractor cannot apply for the required permits for your project. This may affect your property's value and result in fines as well.

On the other side of the coin, practicing without a valid contractor license is a gross misdemeanor. Guilty contractors face jail terms not exceeding 364 days, fines up to $5,000, or both. Also, be aware that a licensed contractor cannot hire an unlicensed one. However, a registered contractor can hire an unregistered subcontractor who was registered at the time of the contract. However, this becomes a crime if the contractor continues to hire the subcontractor after the contract.

How Much Does a Contractor Charge in Washington?

Specialty contractors in Washington charge hourly rates between $10 and $111, depending on the nature and complexity of the task. The table below provides average hourly rates for commonly requested specialty contractors in Washington (note that factors like your location and the contractor's reputation may also influence costs):

Electricians

$16 - $47

Plumbers

$19 - $60

HVACR Technicians

$13 - $48

Carpenters

$17 - $49

Painters

$12 - $45

Roofers

$15 - $36

Flooring Contractors

$12 - $47

Masons

$13 - $43

Landscapers

$10 - $26

Architects

$49 - $223

Interior Designers

$31 - $111

Excavation Contractors

$12 - $36

Concrete Contractors

$31 - $52

Handymen

$15 - $42

Appliance Repair Technicians

$13 - $40

Exterminators

$13 - $35

Cleaning Services

$10 - $20

Movers

$11 - $26

The cost of hiring a specialty contractor is usually factored into the amount charged by the general contractor who oversees the project and determines the total cost. General contractors typically charge for their services using two methods:

• Fixed Price Method: This method involves charging a predetermined service fee, usually after considering the time and resources necessary for the project.
• Cost Plus Fee Method: This method involves charging a fee based on the total cost of the project, usually between 10% and 20% of the project cost. The cost-plus-fee method is considered suitable for large projects.

You can expect to pay between $150 and $333 per square foot for residential construction and remodeling in Washington. The following factors typically influence the overall cost of a project:

• The owner's preferences
• The cost of materials
• The project's size
• Your locality
• The contractor's reputation and experience
• Permit fees and other administrative expenses
• Market conditions

Tips for Hiring a Contractor in Washington

Whether you are planning a home renovation, building a new structure, or undertaking any other construction project, hiring a licensed contractor is crucial to the success of your project. Besides having the skills necessary for your project, hiring a qualified contractor reduces the risk of having issues like scams and city code violations. Consider the following tips when hiring a contractor in Washington:

• Get estimates from at least three contractors to compare costs and understand your project requirements.
• Beware of unsolicited contractors, and remember you have the right to cancel contracts signed outside of a contractor's place of business within three days,
• Ensure that the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured. You can use the Uhire professional license search tool or the Department of L&I's contractor verification tool to confirm the license of your prospective contractor.
• Request references from contractors bidding for your project and check them.
• Before hiring, do your due diligence and investigate the contractor's reputation. Sites like Better Business Bureau, Google Review, or Yelp are helpful; they provide reviews about contractors in the state.
• Consider the contractor's specialization and ensure their abilities align with your project requirements.
• Request a written contract that clearly outlines the details of the project, including the scope of work and payment terms. Ensure you understand each term, and don't hesitate to request clarification of unclear terms.

Is Your Contractor Insured and Bonded as Required by Washington Statutes?

Washington laws require contractors to meet a surety bond and insurance requirement. The required surety bond amount for general contractors is $12,000, and for specialty contractors, it is $6,000. Similarly, all contractors must have general liability insurance of $200,000 for public liability and $50,000 for property damage or a combined policy of at least $250,000. Additionally, Washington businesses are required to have industrial or workers' compensation insurance.

It is in your best interest to ensure that your prospective contractors satisfy insurance and bond requirements. They are both in place to protect you from liability for unexpected issues that may arise in relation to your project.

Insurance guarantees you are not liable for lawsuits and out-of-pocket expenses deriving from injuries and property damage that occurred during your project. In particular, general liability insurance covers third-party property damage and bodily injuries, while workers' compensation insurance covers injuries to workers. On the other hand, bonds cover the financial burden of a contractor's non-performance or failure to perform the contract properly. If a contractor is bonded, you will not have to bear the financial burden of hiring someone else to do the required work. You can confirm your contractor's bond and insurance by requesting proof and verifying it with the issuing organization.

Top Home Improvement Scams in Washington

Contractor scams form part of the top complaints the Washington Attorney General's Office receives yearly. These scams often result in huge financial losses: Americans lose about $13.8 million to these deceitful schemes yearly. Hence, it is important to protect yourself.

Some common tactics that fraudulent contractors use to scam Washington homeowners include the following:

• Arriving in unmarked vehicles licensed in another state
• Unverifiable credentials or references
• Offering special prices if you hire them immediately
• Soliciting work door-to-door
• Insisting on large upfront deposits
• Offering discounted leftover materials from a previous project
• Limiting payment options to cash-only
• Reluctance to formalize the agreement in writing

You can avoid these scams by taking the following actions before committing to contractors:

• Get and compare written estimates from different contractors.
• Use the Uhire professional license search tool or the Department of L&I's contractor verification tool to confirm that the contractor is licensed.
• Research the company, check reviews on platforms like Better Business Bureau, and ask for references from past customers.
• Ensure that all agreements and understandings between you and the contractor are put in writing.
• Try to reduce or avoid cash payments.
• Keep all project-related documents, such as receipts and checks, in one designated file for easy reference and record-keeping.
• Don't rush into hiring a contractor. Take your time to research and consider your options before making a decision.