First Choice Plumbing

To be licensed in Washington, a contractor files a surety bond and proof of general liability insurance with the Department of Labor & Industries, in an amount set by the license type. This contractor's current filing shows a $6,000 bond.

The bond is a limited fund a homeowner (or subcontractor or supplier) can make a claim against, through the courts, if a registered contractor fails to meet its obligations on a job. Contractors must also keep general liability insurance on file — at least $50,000 in property damage and $200,000 in public liability coverage, or a $250,000 combined single limit — which covers damage the contractor causes, not workmanship disputes. The rows above are the bond and insurance filings L&I publishes for this registration; whether a specific filing applies to a specific project depends on its dates and terms.

A plumbing contractor in Washington holds a plumbing contractor license issued by the Department of Labor & Industries, a separate program from construction contractor registration. Typical work includes water supply and drain, waste and vent piping, fixture installation, water heaters, and repiping. Individual plumbers are additionally certified through the state's plumber certification program; the license shown here is the business-level license. A $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance, filed with WA L&I, are required for this registration. Washington currently lists 46 Plumbing contractors registered in Auburn.