Catch 22

Washington requires a surety bond and general liability insurance on file with the Department of Labor & Industries as a condition of licensing; the required amount is set by the license type. This contractor's current filing shows a $4,000 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.

An electrical contractor in Washington holds an electrical contractor license issued by the Department of Labor & Industries, a separate program from construction contractor registration. Typical work includes service and panel upgrades, branch circuit wiring, lighting, and troubleshooting. Individual electricians are additionally certified through the state's electrician certification program; the license shown here is the business-level license. The registration requires a $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance on file with WA L&I. Washington currently lists 28 Electrical contractors registered in Issaquah.