Ahten v. Barnes

¶1 The registration of contractors act, chapter 18.27 RCW, requires Washington contractors to register and file a surety bond with the Department of Labor and Industries (Department). RCW 18.27.040 provides a mechanism for consumers, subcontractors, and others to recover against the bond, and requires those parties to serve three copies of the summons and complaint on the Department. RCW 18.27.040(3). Homeowner Jan Ahten sued her contractor John Barnes and Western Surety Company to recover against the contractor’s bond. In the *346same complaint, she also sought breach of contract damages against…