Licensed, Bonded &
Insured — Verified
Seattle has no shortage of chimney companies. Many operate without a valid contractor license, proper bonding, or liability insurance. Here's what makes Genesis Home Services different — and how to verify every credential yourself.
NCSG Member
National Chimney Sweep Guild
Credentials at a Glance
- WA State Licensed General Contractor
- License #GENESHS792MB — Active through 2027
- $30,000 Bond — Jet Insurance Company
- $1,000,000 Liability Insurance
- NCSG Member — National Chimney Sweep Guild
- Zero violations. Zero lawsuits. Zero debarments.
WA State Licensed General Contractor
A Washington State general contractor license (issued by the Department of Labor & Industries) means the company is legally registered to perform construction work in Washington, has passed L&I background requirements, and maintains active bond and insurance coverage on file with the state.
An unlicensed contractor has no state oversight and no bond protecting you if something goes wrong. In Washington, hiring an unlicensed contractor to do work over $500 also exposes you as a homeowner to legal liability.
Our license number: GENESHS792MB
$30,000 Bond & $1M Liability Coverage
The contractor bond protects you as a customer. If a contractor abandons a project, fails to complete agreed work, or causes damage they refuse to address, the bond is the financial backstop — you can file a claim against it. An uninsured, unbonded contractor leaves you with no recourse beyond a lawsuit.
The $1,000,000 general liability policy covers property damage and bodily injury caused during service. If a technician damages your roof, fireplace, or surrounding area while working, the insurance covers the cost — not you.
$30,000 bond · $1,000,000 general liability · Zero violations on record
Member #
National Chimney Sweep Guild
NCSG Member — National Chimney Sweep Guild
The National Chimney Sweep Guild is the chimney industry's primary professional association in the United States. NCSG membership requires adherence to a code of ethics, commitment to ongoing professional education, and alignment with industry safety standards.
Many chimney companies advertise "certified" without specifying what the certification actually covers. NCSG membership demonstrates active participation in the professional community — including access to current technical training on NFPA 211 standards, new appliance technologies (Napoleon, Heat & Glo, Valor, Montigo), and evolving building codes that affect chimney work in Washington State.
The alternative to hiring a professional is what you see in online marketplaces: unlicensed operators, often with no training, no insurance, and no accountability. The difference shows in the work — and in what happens when something goes wrong.
Clean Record — Verified by the State
Washington L&I maintains a full public record of every contractor's history. Anyone can verify this directly. Here's ours:
0
License violations
0
Bond lawsuits
0
Public works debarments
0
Safety citations
Why Hiring Unlicensed Costs More in the End
These are real scenarios — not edge cases. Unlicensed chimney work in Seattle is common, and when it goes wrong there's often nothing you can do.
The Craigslist sweep
A $150 ad promises a full chimney sweep. The tech vacuums the firebox with a shop vac, skips the flue entirely, and leaves. No license, no bond, no recourse. A real sweep costs more — because real equipment and real liability coverage cost money.
The silicone flashing patch
An unlicensed contractor patches failing flashing with silicone caulk. It lasts one Seattle winter. Water gets into the wall, causing $6,000 in rot. They've changed their phone number. No bond, no insurance — it comes out of your pocket.
The technician on your roof
An uninsured worker falls while on your roof. Your homeowner's insurance has to cover it — because the contractor carried no liability policy. Your premium spikes. You never got the name of their insurer because there wasn't one.
The unnecessary liner
A company with a professional-looking website recommends a $3,500 liner replacement you may not need. They collect a deposit and go quiet. No bond = no claim. The L&I violation history would have shown prior complaints — if you'd looked.
The wrong mortar
An unlicensed mason repoints your pre-1920 chimney with Portland cement — wrong for historic brick. Over the next two winters, brick faces start spalling off. The original damage was $800 to fix. The new damage is $4,000. They're unreachable.
The CO situation
A tech says the firebox cracks are fine. They're not. Combustion gases migrate through the cracks into the wall cavity. Months later, a CO detector goes off. A licensed inspector would have flagged it in writing. An unlicensed one has no accountability.
How to Verify Any Contractor on WA L&I
Takes about 60 seconds. Do this before booking any home service company — not just chimney work.
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1
Go to the L&I Contractor Lookup
Visit secure.lni.wa.gov/verify — this is Washington State's official contractor verification tool.
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2
Search by business name or license number
Type the company's name exactly as it appears on their website or invoice. Or use their license number if they've provided one. License numbers follow the format: business initials + numbers + 2 letters (e.g., GENESHS792MB).
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3
Check license status
The status must say Active. If it says Expired, Suspended, or shows no results at all — do not hire them. An expired license means their bond and insurance are likely lapsed too.
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4
Confirm bond and insurance are current
Scroll down past the license status. You'll see separate sections for Bond and Insurance. Both should show a current carrier, a current effective date, and no expiration. If either section says 'No account found' — they are uninsured or unbonded.
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5
Check violation history
Scroll to License Violations and Lawsuits Against the Bond. Prior complaints, citations, or bond claims are listed here. A few years with zero entries is what you want. Multiple entries warrant a closer look or a pass.
Ready to book with a company you can verify?
License #GENESHS792MB · $30K bond · $1M insured · Zero violations