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Contractors must be bonded & insured
Bonds
Which contractors must be bonded and what must this bond include?
General and specialty contractors must provide a contractor's surety bond (88 KB PDF). Surety bonds are available through a bonding company or insurance agency. Premiums vary with each company, as do the requirements for being bonded.
The bond must include the bond number, exact business name, name(s) of all owners, partners, or corporate officers listed on registration application, the correct amount of the bond and the effective date.
When does the bond need to be filed?
The original bond must be filed in L&I's Tumwater office within 30 days of the bond's effective or issue date. Employer, performance, license or permit bonds will not be accepted.
Are there any alternatives to a bond?
The alternative to a bond is an assigned bank account. An Assignment of Account or Time Deposit for Surety Bond is available at L&I local offices. You may post the required amount in the form of cash, a certificate of deposit, time deposit, or money market account in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union within Washington state.
Insurance
Get general proof of liability insurance coverage from your insurance agent.
- $50,000 property damage policy and $200,000 public liability policy
OR - $250,000 combined single limit policy.
NOTE: Originals of your bond and insurance will be required to complete your registration.
