About that license …

The article “Show me the license” (Dec. 27, 2006) contained some useful information about hiring contractors for home improvements. At a minimum, a contractor’s background should be checked.

However, it should be noted that currently the state of Washington does not require a contractor to be licensed. Registered and bonded, yes — but not licensed.

Due to the overwhelming number of complaints about shoddy work and incompetent contractors, this could soon change. Tomorrow, the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee, which I chair, will hold hearings on two bills. One, sponsored by Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-41st District (eastside suburbs), would require that a contractor be licensed. The second, requested by the Department of Labor & Industries, would make improvements to the current requirements for contractor registration, including requiring the Department to be notified of legal actions and judgments against contractors. It would also close the loophole that allows individuals to build multiple structures without being registered.

For too long this industry has operated without the safeguards that licensing offers to consumers. For too long, a few unscrupulous contractors have given a black eye to their profession. And for too long, consumers have had little to rely upon when hiring a contractor other than a minimal bond and the few requirements mandated by registration — not licensing — of the profession.

I look forward to supporting legislation that will offer meaningful protections to consumers and allow competent, honest contractors to be separated from the less capable.

Thanks for letting me set the record straight.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Kohl-Welles
State Senator
36th Legislative District

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