General vs Specialty Contractor Registration in Washington

Short Answer: A general contractor can do or supervise work in two or more unrelated trades and hire subcontractors. A specialty contractor works within one specialty and, according to L&I, cannot hire subcontractors.

Quick Facts

Washington registers construction contractors in two broad categories under RCW chapter 18.27: general and specialty. The distinction affects what a business can take on, how large its bond is, and how you should evaluate it for your project.

The Definitions

A general contractor is registered to perform or supervise construction work in two or more unrelated building trades or crafts, or to supervise a whole project. Think of a remodeler who coordinates demolition, framing, drywall, cabinets and finishes, using its own staff and subcontractors.

A specialty contractor is registered to perform work within a single trade or craft, such as painting, roofing, concrete, flooring, landscaping, insulation or fencing. Specialty registrations carry a specialty code that describes the trade.

How to Tell Which One You Are Dealing With

The registration record shows the specialty code. “General” indicates a general contractor; anything else, such as “Painting”, “Roofing” or “Concrete”, indicates a specialty registration. Some records list two codes, and our profiles show both.

You can browse the mix in each city: our lists of Licensed General Contractors in Washington and Licensed Painters in Washington show specialty codes alongside each record.

Bond Amounts Differ

Liability insurance minimums are the same for both. The bond difference reflects the larger, multi-trade scope a general contractor can take on.

Matching the Registration to Your Project

Single-Trade Jobs

Repainting the exterior, replacing a roof, pouring a patio or regrading a yard is typically one trade. A specialty contractor registered in that trade is appropriate. Check that the specialty code actually matches the work: a landscaping registration does not cover a roof.

Multi-Trade Remodels

A kitchen or bathroom remodel usually involves demolition, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile and finishes. That calls for a general contractor to coordinate the work, with licensed electricians and plumbers handling those trades. Our guide on How to Choose a General Contractor in Washington covers selection in depth.

Additions and New Construction

Larger projects also bring permits, inspections and multiple subcontractors. Expect a general contractor, and expect to ask about each subcontractor.

Subcontractors Must Be Registered Too

A general contractor will often hire specialty subcontractors. RCW 18.27.020 makes it a gross misdemeanor for a contractor to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor. For you, that means:

• ask for a list of subcontractors and their registration numbers,
• check each one the same way you checked the general contractor,
• ask for lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers as they are paid.

Tip: Under Washington lien law, subcontractors and suppliers who are not paid can file liens against your property even if you paid the general contractor. Lien releases protect you.

Electrical and Plumbing Are Different

Electrical contractors are licensed under RCW chapter 19.28 and plumbers need certificates under RCW chapter 18.106. A general contractor doing a remodel will usually bring in a licensed electrical contractor and a plumbing contractor rather than doing that work itself. Ask who will hold those permits.

Common Misunderstandings

• “General means more qualified.” Not necessarily. It describes scope, not skill. A specialist with decades in one trade can be the best choice for that trade.
• “Specialty contractors can’t hire help.” They can employ workers within their trade. What they should not do is take on unrelated trades outside their registration.
• “The bond covers the whole job.” The bond is shared among all claimants and is modest relative to most projects.

A Simple Decision Guide

1. List every trade your project involves.
2. One trade? Look for a registered specialty contractor with a matching code.
3. Several unrelated trades? Look for a registered general contractor.
4. Electrical or plumbing involved? Confirm licensed contractors and certified workers.
5. Check every registration, including subcontractors, before work starts.

Checking the Record

Whatever the type, the checks are the same: ACTIVE status, expiry date after your project, bond and insurance on file, and no unresolved bond lawsuits on L&I Verify. Search any business in the Washington Contractor License Lookup and confirm on Verify the day you sign.

Why the Distinction Matters for Claims

If something goes wrong, the bond amount available differs between a general and a specialty registration. On a large project with a specialty contractor doing work outside its trade, you may have less protection than you assume. Matching the registration to the job keeps the safety net proportionate to the risk.

Frequently Confused Specialties

Some specialty codes look similar but cover different work. A “Carpentry” registration is not the same as “General”; a “Handyman” style business may hold a specialty registration that suits small repairs but not structural changes. When a business’s specialty code does not obviously match your project, ask the contractor to explain how its registration covers the work and confirm with L&I if you are unsure.

Handyman Jobs

Small repair jobs are where the general-versus-specialty question most often gets blurred. A handyman who fixes a door, patches drywall and replaces a light fixture in one visit is touching several trades. Washington’s registration rules apply to construction contractors regardless of job size, and electrical and plumbing work have their own licensing. Before booking a handyman, check the registration and ask which tasks they will and will not do themselves.

A Worked Example: Who to Hire for a Bathroom

A homeowner wants new tile, a new vanity, a moved shower drain and a new light fixture. That involves tile, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. A specialty tile contractor alone is not the right registration for the whole job. A registered general contractor can manage the project, with the plumbing and electrical work done by appropriately licensed and certified people. If the homeowner only wanted new tile, a tile specialty contractor would be a good fit.

Checking the Classification

On the state record, the registration type and specialty codes show what a business registered for. If the codes do not match your project, ask the contractor to explain how they will cover the work.