Contractors and Repair Shops in Washington

Every contractor must register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries; advertising, bidding or working as a contractor without a valid registration is a gross misdemeanor. For residential projects (four or fewer units) with a bid or contract price of $1,000 or more, the contractor must give the customer a written disclosure statement before starting work, showing the registration number and bond and warning that the bond may not cover all claims; providing it is also a prerequisite to the contractor's lien rights.

Under Washington's Automotive Repair Act, before providing parts or labor a repair facility must give a written price estimate of the total cost, or offer the customer a signed choice: a written estimate with a call if the price will exceed it by more than 10%; proceed but call if the price will exceed a set amount; or no written estimate. The shop may not charge more than 110% of the written estimate (excluding sales tax) unless the customer authorizes the extra cost orally or in writing, which must be documented. Replaced parts must be returned if the customer asked for them when authorizing the work (except warranty or core parts). Unlawful practices include false advertising, materially misstating estimates, charging for parts or labor not provided, and charging for unnecessary repairs.