If you hire a person who is not a registered contractor,
beaware and manage the risks.
If you do decide to hire someone who is not a registered
contractor, you could be considered that person’s employer,
with wage, tax, workers’ comp, safety, and record-keeping
requirements.
To protect yourself from risk and liability
—
if you are not
working with a registered contractor
—
be sure to:
Get workers’ compensation insurance through L&I.
If your worker gets hurt, it will pay medical expenses
and protect you from being sued. (See Page 4.)
Pay at least the minimum wage. Find the current
required hourly wage at Lni.wa.gov/workers-rights.
Keep track of hours worked. You must pay overtime after
40 hours in a given week. Also, if the worker later claims
you failed to pay wages correctly, you will have a record.
Pay/withhold taxes due on the wages.
Go to BizGuide.wa.gov for information.
Heads up! Don’t pay twice.
Did you know that you, the property owner, are ultimately
responsible for ensuring suppliers, subcontractors and workers
are paid? If your contractor doesn’t pay them, they have the
right to le a lien on your property to obtain payment.
Learn more in Publication F625-017-000, Facts About
Construction Liens.
Protect yourself with permits
Your contractor should obtain all the necessary permits. If
you do the work youself, you need to check which permits
are required and obtain them if necessary.
Building permits: Contact your local county or city
building department.
Electrical permits: Lni.wa.gov/ElecPermit.
Manufactured homes permits: L&I must approve plans
and inspect both new and ‘altered’ manufactured/
factory-assembled homes and recreational vehicles for
safety. Call your local L&I ofce or go to Lni.wa.gov/FAS.
Elevator permits for any stair-lifter, pool lifting
device or other conveyance. For information, go to
Lni.wa.gov/Elevators and click the “Plans, Permits,
and Fees” tab.
Be wary of contractors who:
Provide credentials or references
that can’t be veried.
Offer a special price only if you
“sign today” or use other high-
pressure sales techniques.
Accept only cash, require large
deposits or the entire cost upfront.
Ask you to pay in their name,
rather than the name of a business.
Do not provide a written contract
or complete bid.
Ask you to pick up the building
permit, usually a contractor
requirement. (Permits are for your
protection; they help ensure you’ll
meet building codes.)
Offer exceptionally long warranties.
Want to do most or all the work on
weekends and after-hours.
Give you an offer that sounds
“toogood to be true.”