One page with every key number a Washington contractor needs, each linked to the official Washington agency or statute it comes from. This is the quick-reference version. For the narrative walk-through of how these fit together and in what order, see how to start a contracting business in Washington and what it really costs to start.
Every figure below is sourced. Fees and rules change, so the "verify" link on each row is the point: confirm the current number against the agency before you rely on it.
Registration, bond, and insurance
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| L&I contractor registration fee | $150.20 | WA L&I – Register as a Contractor |
| General contractor bond (continuous) | $30,000 | RCW 18.27.040 |
| Specialty contractor bond (continuous) | $15,000 | RCW 18.27.040 |
| Plumbing contractor bond | $6,000 | RCW 18.106 |
| General liability insurance minimum | $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit | RCW 18.27.050 |
The bond amount is the face amount L&I requires on file, not what you pay. Your actual cost is an annual premium a surety sets from your credit. See the bond explained and insurance requirements.
Business setup and ongoing filings
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Certificate of Formation | $180 + online processing fee; initial report free with formation, $10 if deferred (due within 120 days) | WA Secretary of State |
| SOS annual report (LLC / corporation) | $70 / year | WAC 434-112-085 |
| WA business license (first location) | about $50, plus $5 to add a trade name | WA DOR – Business Licensing |
Penalties and deadlines that catch people
| Item | Amount / deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty for contracting without registration | $1,200 to $10,000 (reducible to $600 if registered within 10 days of a first-offense notice) | RCW 18.27.340 |
| Record a claim of lien within | 90 days of last labor/materials | RCW 60.04.091 |
| File suit to foreclose a lien within | 8 calendar months of recording | RCW 60.04.141 |
| Notice to Customer (residential jobs) | Required disclosure | RCW 18.27.114 |
Lien deadlines are strict and unforgiving and the notice rules depend on your role; see when a customer does not pay and confirm every deadline with a Washington construction attorney.
The Washington market, in numbers
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Active registered contractors in Washington | about 75,000+ | data.wa.gov – L&I contractor dataset |
| New contractor registrations per month | roughly 940 | data.wa.gov – L&I contractor dataset |
Citing this page
Writing about Washington contractor requirements? You are welcome to reference these figures. A link back to this page as your source is appreciated, and it keeps your readers pointed at the sourced, dated version rather than a number copied out of context.
<a href="https://contractorlane.com/resources/washington-contractor-requirements-at-a-glance/">Washington contractor requirements (Contractor Lane)</a>Want these steps sequenced for your specific business instead of a flat list? Build your free Contractor Lane roadmap and get the order, not just the numbers.
Where Contractor Lane comes in
A list of numbers tells you what things cost. It does not tell you what to do first, or what bounces your registration back for a week. Contractor Lane is the front door for starting a contracting business in Washington: the free roadmap builder puts these requirements in the right order for your trade and situation, and the paid roadmap walks each one with you, so the numbers above become a finished setup instead of a spreadsheet.
General educational information for people starting a business in Washington. Fees, amounts, and deadlines change. Contractor Lane is not a law firm or tax advisor.