The classic red flags
Scams tend to follow a pattern. If you see one of these, slow down. If you see two or more, walk away.
- Door-to-door pitches. Someone shows up unannounced claiming they "noticed your roof" or "have leftover materials from a nearby job." Reputable remodelers stay busy through referrals and bids, not cold knocks.
- Cash-only demands. A request to pay only in cash, or to wire money, is a way to leave no paper trail and dodge accountability.
- Large upfront deposits. Wanting most or all of the money before any work begins is one of the biggest red flags there is. Payments should track completed work. See our guidance on reasonable deposits in Washington.
- No L&I registration. Every Washington contractor must be registered. Hiring an unregistered one is illegal and voids your protections.
- No written contract. "We don't need all that paperwork" is exactly what someone planning to disappear would say.
- High-pressure tactics. "This price is only good today" exists to stop you from thinking, comparing bids, or verifying anything.
How to protect yourself
Verify before you talk money. Search the company on lni.wa.gov to confirm active registration, a current surety bond and liability insurance. The record also shows lawsuits and bond violations. Our step-by-step on verifying a contractor's license walks through every field.
Get three written bids. Comparing three bids on the same scope makes a too-good-to-be-true number stand out immediately, and it keeps any one contractor from rushing you.
Sign a detailed contract. Put the full scope, materials, timeline, who pulls permits, and a milestone-based payment schedule in writing. Never pay the full amount before the work is finished.
Keep records. Save the contract, every invoice and payment, and your messages. If something goes wrong, documentation is what gives you leverage.
What if you have already been scammed?
If you hired a registered contractor who took your money and failed to perform, or did unacceptable work, you may be able to file a claim against their L&I surety bond. That bond is one reason registration matters so much. To understand the limits of that backstop, read what a contractor bond covers. If the contractor was never registered, your options narrow dramatically, which is exactly why verifying first is non-negotiable.
The single best defense against scams is hiring from a pool of contractors who are already verified and reputable. Get free quotes from vetted, licensed Washington remodelers and skip the risky cold calls entirely.