When do you need to hire a licensed contractor in Washington?

Oregon requires anyone who receives compensation for construction activity (including alterations to real estate) to be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.

How important is contractor licensing in Washington?

The Oregon Board maintains high standards for contractor licensing. Although they do not require contractors (other than plumbers, electricians and other specialty trades) to have construction training, contractors are required to pass a Board exam prior to receiving their license.

Your liability risk when hiring a licensed contractor in Washington

Licensed contractors in Oregon are required to carry general liability insurance. The exact amount is determined by the type of work they do.

Financial recourse when hiring a contractor in Washington

Licensed contractors in Oregon are required to carry a surety bond (ranging from $10k up to $75k based on their trade), which provides you with financial recourse in case they perform defective work or violate license regulations.

How is the BuildZoom score calculated?

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license status, insurance status, verified work history, standing with local consumer interest groups, verified reviews from other BuildZoom users and self-reported feedback from the contractor.

Why you should hire through BuildZoom

When it comes to major construction work or even minor alterations to your home, hiring the wrong contractor could result in incomplete or defective work. You may even find yourself dealing with huge liability claims. BuildZoom does the homework for you and helps you hire the right contractor.

You should get several bids before hiring a contractor

In Oregon, it is generally recommended to collect at least three written bids before hiring a contractor. Do not automatically accept the lowest bid - an abnormally low bid may indicate the contractor made a mistake and is not including the same work quoted by their competitors. We've made the bid collection process extremely simple (and free). Just click here to get started.

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BuildZoom’s database now contains every licensed contractor across the U.S. - over 2.5 million of them... Categorized contractor profiles are enriched using government data from state licensing boards, Better Business Bureau ratings, and more… BuildZoom jumped into the fray by announcing that it raised $10.6 million in a round led by Formation 8. ...the Y combinator-backed startup said it will be focused on remodeling projects, where the median budget is around $19,000… A new index compiled by BuildZoom — which identifies contractors for projects — found that renovations are running 2.8 percent above their 2005 level…

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