The Department of Labor & Industries said this week that it uncovered 19 cases of illegal construction activity in the state, including three cases in Clark County, during a recent sting aimed at deterring illegal construction activity.
The sting, which coincided with similar stings in eight other states, yielded six infractions statewide for unregistered contracting work and three for plumber certification violations. Of those, one of the unlicensed contractors and two plumber-certification violations were in Clark County.
L&I also issued 22 infractions statewide for construction-related advertising violations. The state did not name companies facing any of the infractions.
The Washington state sweeps took place between June 15 and June 26 in Vancouver and several other Clark County communities as well as Kennewick, the Bellevue-Kirkland area, and the Olympia area. Within Clark county, inspectors visited construction sites June 16 in Camas and Washougal; June 17 in Battle Ground and Ridgefield; and June 18 in Vancouver. The visits were made on weekends and evenings as well as regular working hours, said L&I spokeswoman Debby Abe.
“One of the reasons for the surprise sweeps, and for the regular unannounced checks in general, is to let the construction industry know that our inspectors could pay them a visit at any time so they need to be registered. It’s a way to encourage those who are following the law to keep doing that, in addition to catching unregistered contractors,” Abe said by email.
State law requires general and specialty contractors to register with L&I, which confirms they have insurance and a bond, and meet other requirements. Electricians and plumbers must be certified by L&I.
Statewide, inspectors visited 257 active construction sites, where they checked 547 contractors, electricians and plumbers. Besides issuing the 19 infractions for contractor registration and plumber-certification violations, inspectors referred 23 contractors to L&I’s workers’ compensation audit program for possible violations. They referred 44 contractors who owe money to L&I to the department’s collection program.
L&I also searched the Internet for Washington violators. It reviewed 45 electronic advertisements, mainly Craigslist ads, and issued 22 advertising-related violations. The law requires construction contractors to be registered to advertise.
In Clark County, inspectors checked 102 construction sites where work was being conducted by 208 contractors, 14 plumbers and 14 electricians. They referred eight contractors to L&I’s workers’ compensation audit program for possible violations and 17 contractors to L&I’s collections program for money owed. Those referrals were in addition to the single infraction for unregistered contracting and the two plumbing-related infractions.
The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies coordinated the operation in Washington and eight other states that belong to the association. Oregon was not among them.
L&I urges consumers to verify a contractor’s registration at www.Lni.wa.gov/Verify; obtain three written bids, withhold full payment until work is completed; and request and check references.
