Field Notes · July 30, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Choose a General Contractor in Washington
Ten questions that separate professional general contractors from expensive mistakes — license checks, insurance, written quotes, permits and red flags, from a builder's perspective.
We’re a general contractor telling you how to vet general contractors — including us. Ask every builder on your shortlist these ten questions, and the field will sort itself quickly.
The ten questions
- Are you registered, bonded and insured in Washington? Verify it yourself on L&I’s contractor lookup — takes one minute.
- Who actually runs my job day to day? A name, not a department. (Here, it’s the owner — that’s the process.)
- Will the quote be line-item or lump sum? Line-item quotes make change orders honest.
- Who pulls the permits? The only right answer is “we do.” A contractor who suggests skipping permits is transferring risk to you.
- What’s the payment schedule? Milestone-based progress payments, not big deposits.
- Can I see recent local work? Real addresses, real photos — like our projects page — not stock imagery.
- Can I talk to a recent client? Two minutes with a past homeowner beats any brochure. Start with what ours say.
- How do you handle surprises in the walls? Listen for a process (document, price, approve before proceeding) — not reassurance.
- What’s your warranty? And is it written down?
- When could you actually start? A good builder with zero backlog is rarer than you’d hope; an honest start date beats an optimistic one.
Red flags worth walking away from
Cash-only pricing, pressure to sign today, no written scope, “we don’t need a permit for this,” and bids dramatically below the pack. Every one of those discounts comes due later, with interest.
Then interview us
Ask us all ten — the estimate is free and the answers are on the record. Here’s what we build.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I verify a contractor's license in Washington?
- Use the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries 'Verify a Contractor' tool — it shows registration status, bond, insurance and any violations. Never hire anyone who isn't registered, bonded and insured.
- What's a fair payment schedule for a remodel?
- Progress payments tied to completed milestones. Be cautious of large upfront deposits — Washington consumer guidance and common sense both say the schedule should follow the work, not precede it.
- Should I always take the lowest bid?
- Compare what each bid includes, not just the bottom line. A vague lump-sum bid that's 20% cheaper usually finds that 20% later in change orders — a line-item quote is the honest baseline.
Written by
Eduard — Owner & General Contractor
Eduard owns ENF General Contracting and has built and remodeled homes across Everett, Seattle & the Eastside for over a decade. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. He runs every ENF project personally — and writes these guides from the job site. More about Eduard · (425) 217-9921