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Contractor Information
- Contractors must be licensed. This means that they are required to have a Contractor's license through the L&I office. Contractor Lookup can be used to confirm if your contractor has a license, and if it is valid.
- Must use licensed contractors. If you are paying for someone to do work, they must be a licensed contractor.
- Contractors are allowed to perform only the work that their license allows them to do - ie. General Contractors are not allowed to perform electrical work or plumbing work. A licensed electrician or plumber is required for this type of work.
- Contractors must have a State and City business license.
- Apply for a State License (which is not to be confused with the Contractors license).
- Apply for a City Business License.
- Permitting is required. It is the professional responsibility of the contractor to make sure all permits are in place before starting work. All work completed is required to be inspected to final out the permits. It is the responsibility of the contractor to make sure inspections are requested.
- Protect yourself. Hire a licensed and bonded contractor to do the work. Visit L&I “Hiring a Contractor” page.
- What you should know about hiring a Contractor, Remodeler (PDF).
- Homeowners DIY: You are allowed to perform your own work, if you live in the home or own the building.
- Doing work to sell: You must hire a contractor if you intend to sell the property within a year after the work is completed.
- All required permits are to be ordered before starting work. If you’re doing your own work or a contractor is hired, make sure you have permits in place before work begins. Check out the “Do I need a permit?” section of the Permit Center. Many contractors get their own permits. Some require the owner to get their own permits. Make sure it is in your contract who is going to submit the required permit application.
- Make sure to get the contractor's license number. When applying for a permit and you are hiring a contractor, you will be required to list the contractor on the application, that is being hired. The permit portal is linked with L&I and will provide a drop-down list to choose your contractor. You will be most successful in finding their accurate license link, if you have their Contractors License Number. NOTE: The contractor's license number is not to be confused with a business license number.