How to hire a trades company without getting ripped off.

Buying & Hiring · 6 min read · By the OutToday team

Hiring someone to work inside your home is a trust decision. These six questions help you tell a professional contractor from a salesperson who happens to be wearing a uniform.

1. Are you licensed and registered in Washington, and can I verify it?

In Washington, contractors must be registered with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and electricians and plumbers need the right licenses for their work. You can look up a contractor's registration, bond, and license status on the L&I website in a couple of minutes. A real contractor will give you their registration number without hesitation.

2. Are you insured and bonded?

Insurance protects your home if something goes wrong on the job. A bond offers a way to recover money if a contractor fails to do the work properly. Ask for proof rather than taking their word for it.

3. Will I get a written, itemized price before work starts?

You should know the total price, what it includes, and what could change it before anyone starts working. Be cautious about a "price on the spot" that only comes if you sign today.

4. Who will actually do the work?

Some companies use their own trained employees, and some subcontract the work. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know who is coming into your home and whether they're background-checked and qualified for the trade.

5. Will you pull the permits?

Many jobs, including panel upgrades, gas work, water heater replacements, and new circuits, require a permit and inspection. A contractor who says permits aren't needed for work that clearly needs one is a red flag, and it can cause problems when you sell the home.

6. What's the warranty, in writing?

Ask what's covered, for how long, and who honors it: the manufacturer's parts warranty, the contractor's labor warranty, or both. Get it in writing.

Red flags

• Pressure to decide today, with a discount that disappears when they leave
• A large cash deposit before any work or materials
• No company address, no reviews, or no verifiable license
• A quote that's a single number with no detail
• A technician who won't explain the problem in plain language

The right company is happy to answer every one of these questions. If they get defensive, keep looking.