Contractor License Check

Is your contractor legit?

A good contracting company is hard to find. It is a struggle to find a legitimate firm with the expertise required to get jobs done right. Simply put, great service and good quality work are hard to come by these days.  Therefore, finding a contractor that is licensed is a must.

Since you work hard, parting with the money you set aside for your home may be difficult.  Consequently, it cannot be taken lightly and protecting your investment is crucial.

So, where do you start?

Firstly, you need to start off right by hiring a legally licensed, bonded, and insured builder. This will assist you in substantially reducing your risk.

Licensed or no license, does it really matter?

Under the Washington’s Contractor Registration Act all ”contractors” must be fully licensed, insured, and bonded. Hence, you should not place your confidence in anyone who is unregistered as they operate illegally.  Moreover, unlicensed ”contractors” are not actually contractors. Moreover, they operate below the radar avoid licensing and building department regulations all together.  In Washington state, would-be contractors are common.

The scary part is that they:

1. Operate on a fly-by-night mentality
2. Deceptively call themselves contractors
3. Unethically avoid paying licensing and bond fees
4. Cut corners, sacrificing quality to make a profit
5. Don’t hold builder’s risk or general liability insurance – You Are At Risk!
6. Build projects that are not up to code or industry quality standards

On top of all that, they generally also dishonestly avoid, sales tax, business, and occupational taxes.  As a result, they don’t answer to anyone, avoiding inspection requirements on their jobs. As a result, they’re the leading cause of contractor horror stories we’ve all have been warned about.

Who is required to hold a contractor’s license?

By law, registration is required by anyone:

• Offering advice
• Providing direction
• Presenting proposals and estimates, or
• Performing any type of improvement work.

For the protection of the consumer, this includes minor home repairs (RCW 18.27).

Homeowners need to use caution.  There are many ”contractors” working in the neighborhood who operate as unlicensed ‘’contractors.”  They misrepresent themselves, place the buyer at risk, and give contractors a bad name.  Additionally, fraudulent contractor do not carry workers compensation through Washington Labor and Industries. This will place a significant amount of risk on you personally since the work is being performed on your home. Since workers compensation is required to cover job-site injuries you can be held liable for any on-the-job injuries.

Operating without a license is fraud and should be reported:  Report a Fraud Claim to LnI Now

Contractors vs Unlicensed Contractors (***the frauds***)

Since working with unlicensed ”contractors” leads to major issues, it’s best to hire a reputable, local firm.  Doing your homework is a must because if you do not hire right, you are placing yourself in danger.

Unlicensed ”contractors” are notorious for leaving customers with:

1. Lost (stolen) deposits and progress payments
2. A home left in shambles after becoming a hazardous work area
3. Cost overruns and unfinished projects.

BUYER BEWARE: Not holding the proper licensing through the state of Washington placed the majority of liability on the homeowner.

Furthermore, consumers are not aware of a pertinent fact.  Unless a contractor is only being hired to trim your lawn, clean your gutters, or change a light bulb, they are required by law and Washington Labor and Industries to be fully licensed.

Contractor Review Tool

Homeowners need to HIRE RIGHT and check up on their contractor before that contract is signed or the work begins.

Click the link to verify:

• If a builder / carpenter has a license,
• The status of that license (is it active or suspended),
• If any complaints or lawsuits have been filed, and
• Claims against a contractor bond.

Verify your potential contractor now by visiting:  Labor and Industries – Contractor Review Tool