Most bad remodels don't start with bad craftsmanship. They start with a vague scope and an unverified contractor. Here's the checklist we'd hand a friend before they signed anything in Clark County.
Step 1 — Verify before you meet
In Washington, contractors must be registered with the Department of Labor & Industries, carry a bond, and hold general liability insurance. All of it is publicly searchable. Before the first appointment, confirm:
- Registration is active, not expired or suspended
- The bond is in place and the amount is current
- Liability insurance is unexpired
- The legal business name matches the name on the proposal
- There's no pattern of infractions or lapsed periods
If a contractor hesitates to give you their registration number, that's the whole answer. RestorationRepublic operates under UBI 605 906 025 with general liability policy PL:P105.010.075.2.
Step 2 — Judge the site visit, not the sales pitch
A contractor who intends to do the work behaves differently from one who intends to close a sale. Watch for:
| Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|
| Measures, photographs, opens access panels | Quotes from the doorway or from your photos |
| Explains what could be behind the wall | Promises no surprises |
| Names the trades and who holds them | Vague about who actually shows up |
| Talks permits unprompted | Offers to skip the permit to save money |
| Written scope within days | A number scribbled on the spot, valid today only |
Step 3 — Read the scope like a contract, because it is one
A proposal worth signing answers all of these without you asking:
- What work, in what rooms, by what trade
- What materials — named products or clear dollar allowances
- What is excluded (this section matters more than the inclusions)
- Who pulls and schedules permits and inspections
- Payment schedule tied to completed milestones, not calendar dates
- Estimated start, duration, and what causes a legitimate delay
- Change-order process: written, priced, signed before work proceeds
- Warranty terms on labor
The cheapest bid is usually the least complete one. When one number comes in far under the others, find the line item that's missing before you assume you found a deal.
Step 4 — Ask these five questions
- Who is my single point of contact, and how do I reach them mid-project?
- Are your trades employees or subcontractors, and who carries their insurance?
- What happens if demo reveals rot or a code issue?
- Can I see two projects like mine that you finished in the last year?
- What does the last day look like — punch list, cleanup, walkthrough?
Step 5 — Protect yourself on payment
Keep deposits proportional to materials and mobilization. Pay by check or card, never cash. Tie each draw to work you can physically verify. Withhold a final payment until the punch list is closed and any required inspection has passed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a contractor is licensed in Washington State?
Use the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries contractor lookup. Search the business name or registration number and confirm the registration is active, the bond is in place, and general liability insurance is current. Anyone can print a business card; only L&I can confirm standing.
What should be in a contractor's written scope of work?
A defined list of work by area and trade, named materials or dollar allowances, what is explicitly excluded, who pulls permits, the payment schedule tied to milestones, an estimated timeline, and the change-order process in writing.
How much deposit is normal?
A reasonable deposit covers materials and mobilization, not the majority of the job. Be cautious with any request for most of the contract value up front, and never pay in full before work begins.
Should I get three bids?
Two or three is enough if they're apples to apples. More important than the count is that each bid covers the same scope — otherwise you're comparing what was left out, not what things cost.
What are the biggest red flags?
Cash-only pricing, no written contract, pressure to decide today, an address or registration that can't be verified, refusal to pull permits, and a bid dramatically below the others.
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RestorationRepublic handles kitchens, baths, repairs, and water damage across SW Washington — one licensed contractor, one written scope, one accountable point of contact.
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