Good Steward · Hiring
Red flags when hiring
Educational Board list of bond, insurance, and L&I warning signs for homeowners. Not legal advice and not a guarantee that any single signal proves fraud.
Red-flag awareness (illustrative)
Stop and verify
- Contract legal name does not match the L&I Verify record — or license shows inactive / unbonded.
- Pressure to pay cash or large sums before a written scope and permit plan.
- Refusal to pause while you open WA L&I Verify.
- No clear answer on who pulls permits or who stands for inspections.
- Handshake-only change orders; “we’ll figure price later.”
- No proof of insurance or bond when asked — or certificates that do not name the contracting entity.
- Door-to-door urgency after a storm with no local references you can call.
Official source of truth: WA L&I Verify. Companion walkthrough: How to verify a WA contractor.
Red flags FAQ
Where do I verify a Washington contractor?
Official WA L&I Verify: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/. The Board’s verify-contractor page is a walkthrough companion only.
Is a low deposit always safe?
Deposit norms vary. The red flag is paying large sums before written scope, permit ownership, and L&I verification — not a specific Board percentage.
Board feature
Another Story
Same home. Another story. Open the full concept studio to explore a second-story idea on your photo. Concept preview only, not a bid or permit document.