If you apply for your contractor license from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, you will be asked for their original document. To make sure you don`t lose the original, make copies of your records before sending them. If you have any questions about whether or not the work you wish to do requires a license, contact your local L&I office or the Contractor Information Line at 1-800-647-0982. In this guide, we will focus on the registration of general contractors. In addition, there are documents that must be notarized, as well as additional fees for the entire process. As with any state, knowing the requirements to become a general contractor in Washington will keep your process running smoothly while adhering to state, local county, or city regulations. There are certain occupations where a person must be licensed before a business can register as an entrepreneur. These occupations include plumber, electrician, elevator mechanic, boiler and pressure vessel inspectors, home installers, asbestos removal and construction cranes. Whether it`s demolition, destruction, rollover, development, repair, renovation or construction, you`ll need a contractor`s license. You are not allowed to perform this work without a contractor`s license from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, and penalties for unlicensed work vary widely. A first offence could result in a $1,000 fine and close your construction site. This license is less common than the previous two, but it is necessary for highly specialized work. These works are often on the most dangerous side, such as high-rise glazing or asbestos removal.

If you decide to skip a few steps and run a business without the required license, registration or insurance, you risk being fined and arrested. If you still have questions about a Washington contractor`s license that remain unanswered, visit the state`s labor and industries website. Use the Check tool to view your continuing education and basic training credits and check the status of an entrepreneur. You must have a deposit amount of at least $6,000 if you are a specialized contractor and $12,000 if you are a general contractor. Use these tools to learn more about hiring subcontractors or ”independent contractors” and avoid liability for prime contractors. At the Entrepreneur Training Centre, our seminars and coaches have helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their businesses – you could be one of them! Feel free to browse our resources and get additional help. Don`t miss out on growth opportunities – take the plunge today. Getting the license from your Washington contractor doesn`t initially mean the job is done.

You must keep your general contractor`s registration up to date by renewing it every year. If no information about your business has changed, including your deposit or insurance, you can simply renew it online or by email. Any changes to your business or coverage must be documented and the renewal fee is $117.90. In addition to the application for the primary business license, you must also pay the associated fees. The Washington Master Business License is required for the state to collect taxes. Despite the costs involved, this is an essential step in becoming a licensed contractor in Washington. There are several steps to obtaining the license of a Washington contractor. You will need to register your business, pass license verification, take out insurance, etc. The Entrepreneur Training Centre can help you navigate this process.

Renewal You have your license for 2 years, then renew it every 2 years. You will not receive a reminder unless you have a registered agent on top for you. The Washington State Legislature, Title 18, Chapter 18.27, defines a contractor as follows: An overcalculation occurs when a contractor charges for contract labor and materials before that work is actually completed. Like what. Your surety and insurance must use the exact name of your company, and L&I must be listed as the certificate holder for your liability insurance. If you are not sure how to purchase your deposit and insurance, contact a licensed insurance agent. In some cases, an ”independent contractor” is actually an employee for whom you must pay, for example, workers` compensation bonuses, meet wage and hourly requirements, pay unemployment tax, etc. If you don`t understand your needs, your business can be vulnerable to unwanted penalties and hectic lawsuits.

For more information, see our publication A Guide to Hiring Independent Contractors in Washington State (F101-063-000). After receiving your license or registration from Washington State, you will be listed in the database of contractors that potential customers can use. If you are a contractor hiring a subcontractor, be sure to complete a follow-up request for those with active coverage. If the subcontractor does not pay workers` compensation bonuses or does not renew their contractor registration, or if their electrical contractor or plumber`s license is suspended or revoked within one year of the application, L&I will send you a notification letter. When advertising, soliciting quotes or offering to do work, the law requires you to always provide your contractor registration number. This includes business cards, yellow page ads, newspaper ads, internet ads, quotes, and bid proposals. Registered contractors working in Washington can protect their payments by filing a preliminary notice before they start working on a project. This notice is required for subcontractors and direct suppliers to protect their mechanic privileges.

Continue to protect your rights by sending a letter of intent to file a lien if you have not received payment within the timeframe set out in your terms. Liens must be submitted within 90 days of the completion of the work. Licensing contractors in Washington is similar to the licensing procedures of other states, except that Washington does not require audits of general contractors. Applicants are also not required to provide proof of education or work experience. I am a subcontractor. My business is mainly focused on project management, although we all have 20 years of experience in construction. Many circumstances have led to the following. Without killing you with details, our client ended our professional relationship in June 2021. They owed us money.

If you use pesticides, contact the Washington State Department. from the Agriculture, Licensing and Recertification Program at (877) 301-4555 or license@agr.wa.gov to ensure you comply with federal and state pesticide laws, or visit agr.wa.gov. Use our check tool to see if a company you want to work with has an active contractor registration. an active and previously paid comp account for employees that covers all employees. At the same time, you can look for security breaches, other information, lawsuits against their warranty, etc. Washington State requires all contractors to register with L&I. To register as a contractor, you must purchase the following: You must obtain a license if you perform or offer any of the following activities for another person: Disclosure to customers An example of a disclosure statement that you must provide to your customers for all residential work totaling $1,000 or more. You`ll also need to include your contractor registration number in all your ads (including business cards, ads, and even estimates or suggestions you create for customers).

Note: If you hold a contractor`s license for the same classification for which you are applying for three (3) consecutive years on the following boards, you may be eligible for reciprocity from the Washington Board for General Contractors: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee General Contractors Board or the North Carolina State Board of Electrical Contractors. Most importantly, your contractor`s license means access to more lucrative projects. You can work on higher value jobs and expand your offerings because you have the credibility and knowledge to get your higher rates. .