The compliance file to ask for before you sign
A storefront, a parking lot, and a dumpster pad are not the same job, but the documents a vendor should have on file are consistent across all three. This is a procurement checklist, not legal advice — confirm requirements for your specific city and site.
Published by WashAttest · 2026-10-28
The checklist
Eight items to confirm before you award the contract
01
General liability insurance
Confirm the carrier, the coverage limit, and the expiration date. A certificate that names your business as an additional insured is stronger than a generic policy summary.
02
Workers' compensation
Required in most states for any vendor with employees on site. Ask for it explicitly; do not assume general liability covers it.
03
Business license
Local licensing requirements vary by city and county. Confirm the license is current for the jurisdiction where the work is happening, not just the vendor’s home base.
04
Stormwater or NPDES permit
Required when wash water can reach a storm drain, which applies to most storefronts, parking lots, and dumpster pads. Ask how runoff is contained or reclaimed.
05
Water reclamation method
Vacuum recovery, containment berms, or a closed-loop system. The method should match the site, not be a one-size answer for every job.
06
Chemical and surfactant disclosure
Ask which cleaning agents are used near landscaping, storm drains, and building entrances, and whether safety data sheets are available on request.
07
Before-and-after documentation
Photo documentation tied to the date and location of the visit. This is useful both for quality control and for resolving a dispute later.
08
Dispute history
Ask whether the vendor has unresolved customer disputes and how past ones were handled. A vendor with a transparent, resolved history is a better bet than one with no record at all.
Why this matters
Storefronts, lots, and dumpster pads carry real liability
If wash water runs into a storm drain without the right permit or containment, the property owner can share in the liability, not just the vendor. Confirming this checklist before work starts is cheaper than resolving a violation after the fact.
How to verify it
Compare vendors on the same fields
The commercial methodology page explains how commercial pages are organized by market and service. To compare multiple bidders side by side on insurance, licensing, and dispute history, use the WashAttest comparison tool. For the full attestation standard behind these fields, see the WashAttest Standard.
Common questions
FAQ
Do all commercial pressure washing jobs need a stormwater permit?
Most jobs that can send runoff to a storm drain — storefronts, parking lots, loading docks, and dumpster pads — fall under stormwater rules in some form. Confirm the specific requirement for your city and site.
What is the difference between containment and reclamation?
Containment stops wash water from leaving the work area, typically with berms or barriers. Reclamation goes a step further and captures the water for proper disposal or reuse, usually with a vacuum recovery system.
How do I verify a certificate of insurance is current?
Check the expiration date on the certificate itself, and consider calling the listed carrier or broker to confirm the policy is active, especially before a large or recurring contract.