Bellwether Housing

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).

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.

Residential maintenance contractors handle ongoing repair and upkeep in homes and residential buildings. Typical work includes fixing worn or failed components, routine maintenance visits, and small corrective repairs that keep a property functioning. Washington requires a $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance for this registration. Washington currently lists 6 Residential Maintenance contractors registered in Seattle.