Firetastic

Registration as a specialty contractor in Washington requires a $15,000 surety bond on file with the Department of Labor & Industries; the general contractor requirement is $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.

Stove contractors install and service wood, pellet, and gas stoves and inserts, along with venting, chimneys, and hearth surrounds. Typical jobs include new stove installation, converting fireplaces to inserts, and servicing pellet and gas units. A $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance, filed with WA L&I, are required for this registration.