Hiring a contractor is one of the largest purchases most people make without a clear way to judge quality. Here's how to reduce the risk.
Washington requires contractors to be registered with L&I. Look up any contractor at secure.lni.wa.gov/verify before you meet them. Check that the registration is active, that the bond and insurance are current, and look at how long the registration has been held. This one step eliminates a category of problems entirely.
Three is the right number. But bids are only comparable if they cover the same scope — insist on itemized line items. A lump-sum 'bathroom remodel: $X' tells you nothing and makes comparison impossible.
Sometimes it's genuine efficiency. More often, something is excluded: demo, disposal, permits, substrate repair, or materials at a lower grade than you discussed. Ask directly what's not included.
Pressure to decide immediately. Large upfront deposits. Cash-only. No written contract. Reluctance to provide their registration number. Door-to-door solicitation with 'leftover materials.' None of these are automatically disqualifying on their own, but together they're a pattern.
Not just any references — references for projects like yours. A contractor who does beautiful decks may not be who you want rebuilding a tiled shower. Ask to see photos of the specific work type.
Pay in stages tied to completed milestones, not on a calendar. Never pay in full before completion. A reasonable deposit for materials is normal; paying for the entire job upfront is not.
Scope, materials with specific product names, timeline, payment schedule, and how change orders are handled. Good contractors welcome this — it protects them too.
One Washington-specific note: contractor registration is public and searchable. Before you hire anyone in this state, look them up at secure.lni.wa.gov/verify. It takes thirty seconds and it filters out a meaningful share of the problems people run into.
We'll look at it, tell you honestly what it needs, and put an itemized estimate in writing. No charge, no pressure.
Get a Free Estimate 📞 (206) 396-2959Three is the right number. More than that tends to create confusion rather than clarity.
A reasonable deposit for materials is normal. Paying for the whole job up front is not.
About the author: Veniamin Plotnikov is the owner of Builders Enterprise, Inc., a general contracting and remodeling company based in Renton, WA. He has worked in construction across the Puget Sound since 1998, including years specializing in natural stone and countertop fabrication.
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