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  • Focus on Licensing and Permits: General Contractors and Subcontractors

Are you registered with L&I as a general or specialty contractor? Washington state law requires that all contractors register with L&I. General contractors can perform more than one specialty and subcontract to other contractors. However, specialty contractors, such as roofing or siding contractors, can perform only one trade and cannot subcontract to others.

Plumbing and electrical contractors must be properly licensed, as well. There are additional requirements for education, examinations, licensing and certification for contractors who handle asbestos, lead and other hazardous materials. For details, select the “Licensing and Permits” tab on the L & I website.

The process for registration applications can be time consuming so please start early. L&I’s contractor registration process outlines the requirements:

1. Decide on your business structure and name and obtain a UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number from the state Department of Revenue (DOR).
2. Purchase your surety bond ($6,000 for specialty, $12,000 for general) and insurance ($250,000 combined single limit liability plus property damage).
3. Complete the contractor application and submit via email or visit your local L&I office with the required documents.

Besides registering and licensing contractors, L&I inspects electrical work, boilers, elevators and manufactured homes.

Do you have the proper permit to do the work on a manufactured home? The L&I web page for Manufactured Home Permits & Inspections (wa.gov) is a great starting point to answer this and other pertinent questions. You can determine which work performed on manufactured or mobile homes requires an appropriate permit and inspection at Washington Administrative Code 296-150M-0302. Permits may be purchased by mail, in person, or online and are good for one year. Please see L&I Purchasing Manufacture/Mobile Home Permits Online for details.

Does the work require inspection and if so, is a pre-inspection checklist available? Pre-inspection checklists for a number of projects can be downloaded from the Do the Work tab on the L&I Manufactured Home Permits & Inspections webpage. Inspections can be requested online at L&I inspection request, by phone, or in person at the local L&I office nearest you.

For guidance, L&I has a helpful page where you can review pertinent laws and rules. Please view the page at Factory Assembled Structures Laws and Rules (wa.gov).

Additionally, strict rules apply if the home you are working on is considered manufactured, modular, or mobile. If you are performing work as an independent contractor on this type of home, take steps to ensure that you are properly registered for the work you perform and that subcontractors are properly registered or licensed.

All finished? Great! You’ve performed your due diligence and are ready to do the work safely and legally!

Do you have questions about licensing and permits, or anything else L&I-related? PIM Savvy is ready to help you with these and other topics individually over the phone, via online meetings, or in person at one of our virtual workshops. Call or text our (FREE to you) workplace safety info line at 206-565-2961. We have safety and labor expertise to share with you and we can connect you with L&I.

Cheers!

PIM Savvy Inc.

Additional Resources:
Licensing and Permits (wa.gov)

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Build Your Financial Skills

 

Explore practical information and self-guided resources to help you:

  • Build core financial skills
  • Develop saving strategies
  • Establish healthy spending habits
  • Find ways to reduce everyday expenses
  • Track your spending
  • Understand needs vs. wants
  • Create and manage a budget
  • Learn about debt reduction and consolidation options

Explore our financial education resources or contact us with general questions.

Learn how to register your business, write a business plan and more.

Are you interested in starting a business in Washington State but don’t know where to start? PIM Savvy can help you develop a business plan and walk you through each of the steps required to open your own business. We will work with you to develop a business plan, conduct market research, and ensure you have all the necessary components in place such as the proper licenses and permits to register and open your business.

  • Create business plans
  • Conduct target market and competitive business research
  • Assistance with business registration and Unified Business Identifiers (UBI)s
  • Guidance on business licenses and permits
  • Help with Federal Tax Identification Number, also known as the Employer Identification Number (EIN) applications
  • Information on Business Checking Accounts
  • Develop workplace safety programs including an Accident Prevention Programs (APP)s

Budgeting & Saving

  • Create a personalized plan
  • Track expenses
  • Wants vs. needs
  • Overcome and avoid triggers
  • Create and stick to a budget
  • Establish good spending habits
  • Find ways to save money
  • Save for major goals

Taxes

  • Free tax prep services for qualifying taxpayers (VITA)
  • Working Families Tax Credit application help
  • Earned Income Tax Credit
  • Learn basics of Federal Taxes

Applying for Loans

  • Seek credit options 
  • Compare credit options
  • Understand credit options
  • Make informed decisions

Resume Development

  • Resume and cover letter assistance

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Job Searching

  • Career research and exploration

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  • TEMPORARY TEXT

Understanding and Building Credit

  • Learn key factors to improve credit
  • How to build credit
  • Analyze interest rates
  • Learn how credit scores factor in to financial success

Debt Management

  • Take steps to pay off debt
  • Build core financial skills
  • Manage money wisely
  • Debt consolidation or reduction
  • Accomplish financial goals

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¿Está interesado en iniciar un negocio en el estado de Washington pero no sabe por dónde empezar? PIM Savvy puede ayudarle a desarrollar un plan de negocios y guiarlo a través de cada uno de los pasos necesarios para abrir su propio negocio. Trabajaremos con usted para desarrollar un plan de negocios, realizar investigaciones de mercado y asegurarnos de que tenga todos los 2 omponents necesarios, como las licencias y permisos adecuados para registrar y abrir su negocio.

Servicios que brindamos:

  • Crear planes de negocios
  • Realizar investigaciones de mercado objetivo y de negocios competitivos.
  • Asistencia con el registro de empresas y los identificadores comerciales unificados (UBI)
  • Orientación sobre licencias y permisos comerciales
  • Ayuda con las solicitudes del Número de Identificación Fiscal Federal, también conocido como Número de
  • Identificación del Empleador (EIN) Información sobre cuentas corrientes comerciales
  • Desarrollar programas de seguridad en el lugar de trabajo, incluidos programas de prevención de accidentes (APP)

Buscando un cambio de carrera? ¿Necesitas un trabajo lo antes posible? ¿Su currículum está desactualizado y necesita ser actualizado? PIM Savvy está listo para ayudar con todos los aspectos de la búsqueda de empleo, desde actualizar currículums hasta solicitar empleo. Lo guiaremos a través del proceso de búsqueda de empleo brindándole recursos, investigaciones y asesoramiento de expertos para que pueda tener confianza y estar listo para comenzar una nueva carrera.

Servicios que brindamos:

  • Asistencia con currículum y carta de presentación
  • Consejos para entrevistas y mejores prácticas
  • Investigación y exploración de carreras
  • Orientación sobre itinerarios educativos
  • Conceptos básicos y herramientas de networking
  • Soporte para solicitudes de empleo
  • Habilidades de organización para ayudarle en su búsqueda de empleo
  • Ayuda para navegar por plataformas y listados de búsqueda de empleo

 

Comuníquese hoy para preguntar. Complete el formulario o envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra ‘Coaching’ al 206-565-2961.

Starting a Business in Washington State

 

Thinking about starting a business but not sure where to begin?

Launching a business involves many important decisions, from choosing a business structure and registering your business to understanding licensing, taxes, and workplace requirements. We’ve compiled links that provide free guidance and tools to help you get started.

Helpful Resources

  • Washington Small Business Guide – Learn the steps to plan, register, license, and operate a business in Washington State. Washington Small Business Guide
  • SCORE Washington – Access free business mentoring, workshops, templates, and practical advice from experienced business professionals. SCORE Washington
  • Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) – Help for Small Business – Find information on workplace safety, employer responsibilities, workers’ compensation, required posters, and other resources for business owners. L&I Help for Small Business

 

Register to attend this upcoming FREE event:

Washington BizFair

Pierce College Puyallup (College Center Building): 1601 39th Avenue Southeast, Puyallup, WA 98374

Saturday, September 19 • 9 AM – 3 PM

  • Attend free workshops, connect with business experts, and discover valuable resources for starting and growing your business.
  • BizFair has been an annual event since 1997 to help Washington’s entrepreneurs over the years.

 

Whether you’re opening your first business or expanding an existing one, these resources can help you navigate the process with confidence.

Career Resources

 

Looking for a career change? Need a job as soon as possible? Is your resume ready for today’s job market?

Explore our career resources designed to help you build the skills and confidence needed for a successful job search. Whether you’re entering the workforce, changing careers, or returning after time away, you’ll find practical information and tools to support your next step.

Topics and resources include:

  • Resume and cover letter best practices
  • Interview tips and preparation
  • Career research and exploration
  • Education and training pathways
  • Networking strategies and tools
  • Job application tips
  • Job search organization and planning
  • Navigating online job boards and employment resources

Explore our career resources or contact us with general questions.

  • If there are no appointments available, you can try walking in. If there are cancellations we may be able to assist you.
  • Another option is to check for other VITA sites on the IRS VITA Locator: https://freetaxassistance.for.irs.gov/s/sitelocator
  • Eligible individuals and families can receive the Working Families Tax Credit – a tax refund up to $1,330 for Washington workers. See if you’re eligible today!  https://workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov/eligibility  If eligible, VITA tax preparers will help with the application. 
  • If you have any questions, email vita@pimsavvy.com.
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