Tree service credentials in Washington: registration, bond and insurance

L&I contractor registration

Washington requires construction contractors to register with L&I, and tree removal is one of the 63 specialties on its list. Pruning alone does not need registration. (L&I) (L&I F625-115-000) (L&I F625-084-000)

Registered contractors must carry a bond and liability insurance. (L&I)

The bond

• $15,000 for a specialty contractor, $30,000 for a general contractor, for bonds since July 1, 2024. (RCW 18.27.040, read Oct 17, 2026)
• A company registered before then at the old $6,000 or $12,000 amounts has to move up when it renews or reinstates. (L&I F625-084-000, read Oct 17, 2026)

Verify shows the bond on file. (L&I)

If the tree job is botched or abandoned

A crew that takes your deposit and never finishes the removal, or leaves the job far short of what you signed for, may owe you under its contract. A tree service's registration bond covers court judgments for breach of contract, improper work included. Its unpaid workers, taxes, equipment rental and suppliers can claim against it too. (RCW 18.27.040)

• Start with a letter. Write down what was not done, give a deadline, and consider mediation before you sue. That is the order L&I recommends. (L&I)
• Two years, no more. Homeowners must file within two years of substantial completion of the work or its abandonment, whichever is earlier. (RCW 18.27.040)
• Sue the surety too. Bring the case in the superior court of the county where the trees were, and list the bonding company as a defendant. Pull the bond number and business details from Verify. (L&I)
• Paperwork to L&I. Three copies of the summons and complaint, plus a $66.20 check, by certified or registered mail. The tree company itself gets served by a process server. (L&I) (RCW 18.27.040)
• How far it stretches. The bond pays out its face amount and stops. Anyone who is not a residential homeowner can collect half of it at most. A homeowner who prevails also recovers costs, interest and reasonable attorney fees, within that same limit. (RCW 18.27.040)

Liability insurance

L&I describes the minimum as $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. (L&I, read Oct 17, 2026) (RCW 18.27.050) Inside Seattle, the City's tree registry asks for $1,000,000 per occurrence, with the City named as additional insured. (City of Seattle, read Oct 17, 2026)

Workers' comp sits outside both. Washington employers buy it from L&I or self-insure. (L&I)

What registration leaves out

• Skill. Washington does not test contractors to register. (L&I) For tree knowledge, look for an ISA Certified Arborist and check the person in ISA's Find an Arborist directory. (ISA)
• Liens. Unpaid suppliers or workers can lien your property. Ask for lien releases. (RCW 18.27.114)
• An unpaid judgment. The Homeowner Recovery Fund can pay up to $25,000 per contractor per parcel on an unpaid court judgment against a registered contractor, for owner-occupied homes and judgments ordered after July 1, 2026. Apply within 90 days. (L&I, read Oct 17, 2026)

Seattle adds a registry

Seattle expects you to use a registered tree service provider for most paid tree work. Registration takes a City business license, an L&I general contractor number, the $1,000,000 policy and at least one ISA Certified Arborist. (City of Seattle, read Oct 17, 2026) Details in Seattle's tree service registry.

How to check

1. Search the company on L&I Verify for registration, bond, insurance and violations. (L&I)
2. Look up the arborist by name in Find an Arborist.
3. Inside Seattle, find the company in the City's Tree Service Provider Directory. (City of Seattle)
4. On a home job of $1,000 or more, get the signed Notice to Customer with the registration number and bond details before work starts. (RCW 18.27.114, read Oct 17, 2026)