Basics for Homeowners: Guide to Hiring a Contractor

Before Hiring a Contractor

Hear radio ad about risks of hiring unregistered contractors

Click the "play" button to listen or download audio (right-click and choose "save as" or "save link as.")

Ad narrator: "The lowest price isn’t always a good deal. A shady contractor can make your life miserable with shoddy materials or inferior work. Some crooks take your money and run. Before a contractor works on your home, get references and verify registration and licensing online at HiringaContractor.Lni.wa.gov.

Remember, you want more than just a good price — check with the state before it’s too late. A message from Washington State Labor and Industries. HiringaContractor.Lni.wa.gov"

Return to Hiring a Contractor page.
See Contractor Glossary of Terms.

Printable versions of information in this guide:
PDF icon Quick checklist for hiring a contractor or remodeler (39 KB PDF).

Hiring a contractor or remodeler fact sheet
(F625-085-000) (191 KB PDF).

STEP 1		STEP 2		STEP 3		STEP 4
Before		Hiring		Monitoring		Closing

Before Hiring a Contractor

Make sure you: 1. Plan your project. 2. Interview contractors. 3. Check that contractor is registered. 4. Check contractor using other resources. 5. Ask for references and check them. 6. Get a disclosure statement. 7. Learn about permits. 8. Check for warning signs of a scam. Hear radio ad about risks of hiring unregistered contractors Click the "play" button to listen or download audio (right-click and choose "save as" or "save link as.") Ad narrator: "The lowest price isn’t always a good deal. A shady contractor can make your life miserable with shoddy materials or inferior work. Some crooks take your money and run. Before a contractor works on your home, get references and verify registration and licensing online at HiringaContractor.Lni.wa.gov. Remember, you want more than just a good price — check with the state before it’s too late. A message from Washington State Labor and Industries. HiringaContractor.Lni.wa.gov" Return to Hiring a Contractor page. See Contractor Glossary of Terms. Printable versions of information in this guide: Quick checklist for hiring a contractor or remodeler (39 KB PDF). Hiring a contractor or remodeler fact sheet (F625-085-000) (191 KB PDF).