Washington

How To Obtain Your License And Become A Contractor In Washington

Are you curious to learn about the steps you need to take to become a concrete contractor? We are sure that you have a lot of questions, and we want to provide you with answers. Embarking on a new journey in your career is never easy, and you need to make sure that you are always covering all your bases.

To obtain your license, you will need to meet all the requirements listed by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Here’s what you need to know:

Why You Need

A License

Having a license means that you are abiding by all the legal safeguards in place that protect your business, your employees, and your clients. Having a license shows that you are a knowledgeable and reliable service provider. It will help you attract more customers, and secure higher-paying jobs.
We also want to discuss the reasons why you need business insurance as well as registering your business with the state. Registration doesn’t require you to have prior experience or pass a licensing exam. The main purpose of registering your business is for the state to monitor your transaction activity.

Business insurance allows you to protect your financial assets if you ever experience any major liability problems. This way you are not paying out of pocket when injuries, accidents, theft or property damage occurs. If you overlook any insurance or licensing requirements, then the state will penalize you.

How To Become A

Concrete Contractor

Licensing and registration is a multi-step process. You will need to gather certain information and materials for the state before they can approve your license. Here are some of the things you need to include with your application:

  • Business Registration – You will need to determine your business structure and then undergo registration. Some examples include sole proprietorships and limited partnerships. Corporations and LLCs will need to register with the Washington Secretary of State’s office.
  • SSN or EIN – Sole proprietorships will need to submit their Social Security Number for Tax Identification Number when starting up their business. Other business entities will need to use a Federal Employer Identification Number.
  • Surety Bond – All concrete contractors will need to secure a $12,000 surety bond. This ensures that you can provide compensation to your clients for uncompleted work.
  • General Liability Insurance – Liability insurance is going to protect your business in unpredictable situations. This includes third-party accidents, property damage, and injuries. You can easily avoid financial jeopardy and lawsuits with insurance.
  • Include information on your business partners – The state will want to know about the principal owners and managers of your business. These individuals will also need to submit some general information.
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance – If you plan on employing anyone, then you will need to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Sign And Notarize

Your Application

Once you meet all the requirements listed by the Department of Labor and Industries, you can then fill out your application and submit it. You will also need to have it notarized. We recommend that you visit your local Labor & Industries office and apply in person.
required documents

Submit

Your Application

Once you have all the relevant forms and complete your application, you will then submit it by mail or in-person at your local Labor & Industries office. You will also need to pay the $117.90 submission fee and make it payable to the Construction Registration office in Olympia, WA.

Renew Your

License Annually

Once you receive your license, you are then ready to get to work. However, the work doesn’t end there. The state of Washington requires you to renew your license every year. However, you can get everything done online, and you will need to update your business information if any changes were made in the previous year (e.g., a new address or change in your insurance provider). A renewal fee will run you $117.90.
required documents

Conclusion

Obtaining your license will require you to clear a few hurdles. However, we can promise you that having one will benefit your business immensely. It will allow you to secure more clients and build your reputation.

If you have any questions, you can always contact Washington’s Labor and Industries’ website. When you are searching for general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, we recommend that you shop around and compare quotes from various providers to make sure you are getting the best price.

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