Report a Contractor

Unregistered contractors are a threat to both consumers and legitimate contractors. Labor & Industries wants to help combat this underground economy.

We have created this one-stop reporting tool for industry professionals to report suspicious activities such as the following:

• Unregistered contractors bidding or working in Washington.
• Contractors that are not properly paying for workers compensation insurance. Learn how to spot red flags.
  It's a red flag if an employer ...

  • Is operating a business without the proper license or registration and has workers.
  • Pays workers in cash and doesn't give them any kind of payroll stub.
  • Submits bids on jobs well below the industry standard.
  • Has a large number of corporate officers listed for the firm, and all work at the firm.
  • Does not maintain or report complete and accurate employee payroll information.
  • Pays workers on a piece work basis and does not record hours.
  • Requires employees to work long hours but turns in fewer hours than they actually worked.
  • Has a worker who gets injured on the job, and the employer promises to pay the doctor and medical bills rather than report the accident to L&I.
  • Has workers who find they do not qualify for unemployment insurance because the employer under-reported their hours.
  • Has several "corporate officers" who do not exercise control of the business operations.
• Contractors that are not paying prevailing wages.
• Contractors that are not paying agreed upon wages and overtime when required.

Use our Verify tool to see if a business you want to contract with has an active contractor registration; an active and paid-to-date workers' compensation account covering any employees. At the same time, you can check for safety violations, lawsuits against their surety bond and more.

Report a fraudulent or unregistered contractor
Or call the Report-a-Fraud line: 1-888-811-5974.

Tools for legitimate contractors to use

• Contractor Marketing Card (F625-069-000).
• Hire Smart Worksheet (F625-111-000).
• Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler or Handyman (F625-084-000).

Resources for homeowners

• Problem with a contractor?
• Protect My Home.
• Protect My Manufactured Home.

See the Hiring a Contractor page for information about hiring a contractor.