Quick List for Hiring a Contractor or Remodeler

Before hiring

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Plan your project carefully.

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Interview several qualified registered contractors/remodelers and solicit written bids.

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Look for the contractor registration number in advertisements for contractors—and verify

that it is current with L&I.

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Check out the contractor records with other consumer protection organizations.

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Check for warning signs of a scam or fake contractor.

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Ask for references and then check them out.

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Make sure you receive the legally required disclosure statement before work begins.

Hiring tips

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Get references for the contractor's suppliers. Check out the contractor's payment record.

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Find out about liens and how they impact you.

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If your project is more than $6,000, request the contractor post a performance bond for

the entire cost of the project.

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Try to anticipate problems and inconveniences. Ask for a disclosure statement prior to

work starting.

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Obtain a written contract.

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Ask for a disclosure statement prior to work starting.

Monitoring

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Make frequent inspections of the work.

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Call your local building department to check on required permits

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Be very careful about paying for work that has not been finished.

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Put in writing any changes to your original agreement.

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Pay as significant work is completed.

Closing the deal

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Before making final payment on a project, request a completed lien release.

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If you have a problem with work that has been improperly done, not done at all, or have

been stuck with a lien, check out your options for recourse at Problems with contractors or

remodelers.