Hiring a Contractor

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Protect yourself when hiring a contractor

Basics for Homeowners

Homeowner's Guide to Hiring a Contractor

This step-by-step 'Homeowner's Guide to Hiring a Contractor' will help you find a contractor who is qualified to handle your project, and avoid many of the most common problems. But if you do have problems, find out what you can do.

To be safe, look up your contractor using these online services:

Look up a contractor, electrician, plumber or elevator professional
Make sure a contractor is registered, with a bond and insurance, and an electrician, plumber or elevator mechanic is certified (licensed) in Washington. Disclaimer regarding updates and accuracy.

Check if a contractor or plumber has any recent infractions
You are now able to look up a contractor or plumber in two different ways and see any infractions that have been issued to them. 1) If the contractor is registered or a plumber is certified you may search for them on the main search screen and any infractions that are associated with that registration or certificate number will be displayed. 2) Under Lookup a Violator you may search for individuals or companies that were not registered or certified at the time the infraction was issued. If you have questions, contact the Infraction Section - E-mail: sayb235@lni.wa.gov  or Phone: 360-902-5205.

Especially for Contractors

Verify that your contractor is up to date on workers' compensation premiums

If you are a contractor, you could be held liable to L&I for any unpaid premiums if you hire a subcontractor or other business that's delinquent paying its workers' compensation premiums. Fill out the online Contractor Tracking Request form to be notified if they get behind in paying premiums or if they become unregistered or unlicensed during the next year. Get information about using this online search. Note: You should also make sure they have an active Department of Revenue tax registration account (www.DOR.wa.gov).

Is your subcontractor really an employee?
You may be an employer with requirements — and not know it! In some cases, a self-proclaimed “independent contractor” is actually a worker for whom you must do such things as pay workers’ compensation premiums, meet wage and hour requirements, pay unemployment tax, etc. Not understanding your requirements can leave your business vulnerable to unwanted penalties and even lawsuits. Besure to take advantage of this online webinar sponsored jointly by the IRS and L&I: "Hiring Workers for Your Business: Are They Independent Contractors or Employees?"

Report fraud

Report employer and contractor fraud—It's your money; help us help you.

• Report employer workers' comp fraud if you find that a business that
  • does not have an account with L&I AND
  • you know that they do have employees.
• Report unregistered contractors if you find that a contractor is not registered, bonded and insured to do business in Washington.

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For more detail, see these helpful publications:

• Hiring a Contractor or Remodeler: What You Should Know
  Questions to ask and precautions to take.
• A Guide to Hiring Independent Contractors in Washington State
  You might be an employer and not know it. Use this to determine when you are required to pay workers' compensation premiums and unemployment tax for those you hire. Also, if it's your job site, you'll learn about wage, hour and safety requirements.