1. Verify the contractor's L&I registration first
In Washington, every contractor must register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). This is not optional, and hiring an unregistered contractor is illegal here. It also voids the consumer protections you would otherwise rely on if the job goes sideways.
Before you do anything else, search the company name or registration number on lni.wa.gov. A registered contractor will show active registration, a current surety bond and liability insurance. If you want the click-by-click walkthrough, read how to verify a contractor's license in Washington.
2. Confirm the bond and insurance are current
Registration comes with a surety bond and a minimum level of liability insurance. General contractors in Washington carry a $12,000 bond and specialty contractors a $6,000 bond, though you should confirm the current amounts at lni.wa.gov since requirements change. The bond is a limited safety net, not full coverage, so it helps to understand what a contractor bond actually covers before you assume you are protected.
3. Look at real work, not just a website
Ask to see a portfolio of completed kitchens, ideally projects similar in size and style to yours. Photos are a start, but the gold standard is talking to past clients. Ask for three recent references and actually call them. Find out whether the project finished on budget, on schedule, and how the contractor handled problems when they came up.
4. Get three written bids on the same scope
Always collect at least three written bids, and make sure each one covers the same work so you can compare apples to apples. A vague one-page quote that just says "kitchen remodel" tells you nothing. A good bid breaks out demolition, cabinets, countertops, plumbing, electrical, flooring and finishes. If one number is dramatically lower than the others, that is a red flag, not a deal.
5. Ask the right questions
The bid stage is your chance to learn how a contractor runs jobs. Will they pull the permits? Who is the day-to-day point of contact? How do they handle change orders? We put together a full list of questions to ask a remodeler so you do not forget the important ones.
6. Read the contract before you sign
Never start work on a handshake. A solid Washington remodeling contract spells out:
- Scope of work in detail, including materials and allowances.
- A milestone-based payment schedule tied to completed work, not the calendar.
- The timeline, with start and substantial-completion dates.
- Who pulls permits and handles inspections.
- How change orders are priced and approved in writing.
Be cautious about large upfront deposits. Tie your payments to milestones and never pay in full before the work is done. Here is more on how much of a deposit is reasonable in Washington.
7. Watch for warning signs
Cash-only demands, no written contract, pressure to decide today, and reluctance to show an L&I registration are all classic red flags. If something feels off, it usually is. Learn the common patterns in our guide on how to avoid contractor scams.
Choosing carefully up front is the single best way to avoid a remodeling horror story. The fastest path to a shortlist of vetted, licensed Washington pros is to get free quotes and start comparing real bids.