Hiring a contractor in Washington: check, red flags, complaints

Red flags when hiring

• The contractor is not registered, or the registration is not active, in L&I Verify. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab), source: RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab))
• L&I Verify shows lawsuits against their bond or safety violations. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab))
• A contractor who hires an unregistered subcontractor. (source: RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor before you hire

Penalties for unregistered work

• Infractions include working, bidding or advertising unregistered, and hiring an unregistered subcontractor. Each day and each worksite counts separately. (source: RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab))
• Fines are $200 to $10,000. For failure to register it is $1,200 to $10,000, which can drop to $600 for a first offense if you register within 10 days. (source: RCW 18.27.340 (opens in a new tab))

How to report a contractor

• Report a contractor online, or call the L&I Report-a-Fraud line at 1-888-811-5974. (source: L&I: Report a contractor (opens in a new tab))

Consumer protections

Bond claims

• You can claim against the contractor's bond through a court action for breach of contract or bad work. (source: RCW 18.27.040 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab))