Washingtoncontractor insurance & bonding requirements
Updated April 2026 · Source: WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27
Minimum requirements
- General liability
- $200,000
- Surety bond
- $12,000
- Workers' comp
- Required for crews
Licensed general contractors in Washingtoncarry 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.
General Contractor: $12K bond, $200K/$50K GL (combined bodily injury + property). Specialty contractor: $6K bond.
Common questions
What insurance does a Washington general contractor need?
A Washington general contractor needs at minimum $200,000 general liability coverage. Workers' compensation insurance is required for crews. Per WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27.
How much is the surety bond for Washington contractors?
Washington requires a minimum $12,000 surety bond at the license level. Some project-size tiers or local authorities require additional project-specific bonds. See WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27 for the current schedule.
Who is the licensing authority in Washington?
WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27 is the authority for Washington contractor oversight. Public license lookup is available at https://lni.wa.gov/.
How does AskBaily verify contractors in Washington?
AskBaily runs automated verification against WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27 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 Washington can lose the right to mechanic's lien protection, may be held liable for on-site injuries, and forfeits protection under WA L&I Contractor Registration Act RCW 18.27. That's why AskBaily's policy is to match only verified pros.
Nearby jurisdictions
AskBaily cities in Washington
Homeowners in these cities can chat with Baily today; matched pros must meet the requirements above.
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