District of Columbiacontractor insurance & bonding requirements
Updated April 2026 · Source: DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation
Minimum requirements
- General liability
- $1,000,000
- Auto liability
- $500,000
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- Workers' comp
- Required for crews
Licensed general contractors in District of Columbiacarry commercial insurance so that if a crew member gets injured on-site, a homeowner's appliance is damaged during demo, or a neighboring property suffers an impact from construction, the contractor's policy (not the homeowner's) pays the claim. AskBaily does not match homeowners to contractors below these minimums.
Home improvement contractor bond $25K; general contractor additionally registered via BBL.
Common questions
What insurance does a District of Columbia general contractor need?
A District of Columbia general contractor needs at minimum $1,000,000 general liability coverage plus $500,000 auto liability. Workers' compensation insurance is required for crews. Per DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation.
How much is the surety bond for District of Columbia contractors?
District of Columbia requires a minimum $25,000 surety bond at the license level. Some project-size tiers or local authorities require additional project-specific bonds. See DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation for the current schedule.
Who is the licensing authority in District of Columbia?
DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation is the authority for District of Columbia contractor oversight. Public license lookup is available at https://dcra.dc.gov/.
How does AskBaily verify contractors in District of Columbia?
AskBaily runs automated verification against DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation before a contractor is matched to a homeowner project. The pro's license number is validated live at signup.
What happens if a contractor doesn't carry the required insurance?
Underinsured contractors are removed from the AskBaily match pool immediately. A homeowner who hires an unlicensed or underinsured contractor in District of Columbia can lose the right to mechanic's lien protection, may be held liable for on-site injuries, and forfeits protection under DC DCRA Home Improvement Contractor Regulation. That's why AskBaily's policy is to match only verified pros.
Nearby jurisdictions
AskBaily cities in District of Columbia
Homeowners in these cities can chat with Baily today; matched pros must meet the requirements above.
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