How to Hire a Contractor in WA, OR & Idaho (Without Getting Burned)

Why the PNW is different

Washington, Oregon, and Idaho each run a state contractor license board with public lookup tools. If a contractor isn't registered, you have almost no protection if the job goes sideways. Step one is always verification.

1. Verify the license (2 minutes)

• Washington: L&I Contractor Lookup — search by name or registration number. Confirm status is Active, bond is in place, and there are zero open infractions.
• Oregon: CCB License Search — Oregon requires every contractor to register with the Construction Contractors Board.
• Idaho: DOPL Contractor Search — public works and HVAC/electrical/plumbing trades require state license.

Screenshot the result. If they balk at sharing the number, walk away.

2. Confirm insurance — in writing

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) with your name listed as the certificate holder. Minimum acceptable for residential work:

• General liability: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
• Workers' comp: required if they have any employees (in WA, this is L&I coverage)

Call the insurance agent on the COI to confirm it's active. Forgeries are common.

3. Three questions that help identify warning signs

1. "Can you send me 3 references from jobs in the last 6 months?" (Old references = problem.)
2. "How do you handle change orders — verbally or in writing?" (Verbal = walk away.)
3. "What's your warranty period, and is it in the contract?" (No written warranty = no warranty.)

4. Get at least 3 bids — but compare scope, not just price

The lowest bid is almost never the best deal. Compare bids on:

• Materials grade (e.g., 30-yr architectural vs. 3-tab shingles)
• Cleanup and disposal included or extra
• Permit pulling included
• Timeline with start AND finish dates

5. Deposits and payment schedule

Deposit requirements vary by state, contract, and project. Avoid paying the full amount upfront. Use written milestone payments and confirm current state requirements before signing.

The Washington State Attorney General's consumer guidance describes a deposit in the range of roughly 10–15% as typical for home improvement work — that is consumer guidance, not a universal statutory cap. Oregon and Idaho do not publish a single fixed deposit cap either, so put the schedule in the contract.

A common structure: a modest deposit, then milestone payments (for example at material delivery and at the midpoint), with a meaningful balance held until final walkthrough. Check the current rules with WA L&I, the Oregon CCB, or Idaho DOPL before you sign.

6. Never pay in cash. Use a check or credit card.

A paper trail is your only proof. Credit cards give chargeback rights; checks give bank records.

Red flags to walk away from

• Door-to-door pitches after a storm
• "Cash only" discount
• No physical business address
• License "in process" or expired
• Pressure to sign today

→ Use our Find a Pro tool to get up to 3 vetted PNW contractors with verified license + insurance. Free, no spam.