Inside The Lines

A $15,000 surety bond, filed with the Department of Labor & Industries, is a condition of registration for specialty contractors in Washington (general contractors file $30,000). This contractor's current filing shows a $15,000 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 painting and wallcovering specialty contractor is registered with WA L&I to apply paint, stain, sealers, and wallcoverings to interior and exterior surfaces. As a specialty contractor, the registration covers this trade only; work in other trades requires a separate registration or a general contractor. Washington requires a $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance for this registration. Washington currently lists 55 Painting/Wallcovering contractors registered in Kirkland.