Comfort Zone

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.

An HVAC/R specialty contractor is registered with WA L&I to install and service heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Electrical and mechanical work within HVAC systems may also require trade licenses administered separately by the state. Washington requires a $15,000 surety bond and general liability insurance for this registration. Washington currently lists 42 Heating/Vent/Air-Conditioning and Refrig (HVAC/R) contractors registered in Tacoma.