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Home Service Businesses in Clark County: Getting Calls From Google

Published Oct 31, 2026 · Last checked against sources Oct 31, 2026

Quick answer Get your paperwork right first: Washington contractor registration if your work requires it, and a Vancouver city business license if you work in city limits. Then set up your Google Business Profile as a service-area business with your address hidden, a specific category and a phone you answer, and build honest reviews after every job.

If you run a plumbing, roofing, cleaning, landscaping or remodeling business in Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield or anywhere in Clark County, a lot of your new calls start with a Google search. The businesses that get those calls usually aren't doing anything fancy. Their paperwork is in order, their Google profile is set up the right way for a business that goes to customers, and they ask for reviews after every job. This guide covers each part in order.

Step 1: Get registered with the state if your work needs it

Washington L&I says the state requires all construction contractors to register with L&I, and that state law requires them to be bonded and insured. L&I lists construction, remodeling, repair, painting, installing floor coverings, and managing or consulting on construction or landscaping projects among the activities that usually need registration. If you aren't sure about your trade, L&I says to email [email protected] or call 1-800-647-0982.

L&I's registration page lists these steps:

  • Register your business with the Department of Revenue
  • Get a surety bond: $30,000 for general contractors or $15,000 for specialty contractors
  • Buy general liability insurance: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit
  • Complete the contractor registration application and pay the fee L&I lists

L&I says your bond and insurance must use your exact business name. Check the L&I page for the current fee and details before you apply.

Step 2: Check the Vancouver city license

The City of Vancouver says a business needs a city business license, also called an endorsement, if it is physically located in city limits or its staff do business in city limits. That can apply even if your shop is outside the city and you take jobs inside it. The city says you apply through the Washington Department of Revenue's business licensing process, and the city license shows up as an endorsement on your state license. The city's page has a city limits map to check addresses. If you work in other cities in the county, check with each one.

Step 3: Put your registration number where it belongs

Washington law, RCW 18.27.100, says advertising that shows a contractor's name or address must show the contractor's current registration number. It also says to use the name you registered under in your ads, contracts and signs, and not to advertise that you are "bonded and insured" because of the bond and insurance the law requires. Adding your registration number to your website and your Google profile description is a simple way to keep your marketing consistent. If you have a question about a specific ad, ask L&I.

Step 4: Set up Google as a service-area business

Most home service businesses go to the customer. Google's guidelines say a service-area business should hide its address, and its own example is a plumber who runs the business from home. Set a service area instead. Google says the overall area shouldn't extend farther than about 2 hours of driving time from where you're based, though larger areas may be fine for some businesses. Then fill in the rest:

  • Your real business name, matching your sign and registration, with no added keywords
  • The most specific main category, like "Plumber" or "Roofing contractor"
  • Every service you actually offer, with a short plain description
  • Hours, including when you take emergency calls if you do
  • Real photos of your crew, your truck and finished jobs

Step 5: Answer the phone

Your profile's job is to make the phone ring. Use a number that reaches a person during the hours you list. Google's verification page also notes that automated phone menus won't receive a phone verification code, so make sure the number can take a call or a text when you verify.

Step 6: Ask every customer for a review

Google says prominence, which includes how many reviews you have, is one of the main factors in local results, along with relevance and distance. The simplest habit is to text your review link the same day you finish a job, to every customer, not just the ones who seemed happiest. Google's review policy doesn't allow discounts or gifts in exchange for reviews, so keep the ask plain. Reply to every review, good or bad, with a short, calm note.

A quick checklist

  • L&I contractor registration, bond and insurance in place if your trade needs it
  • Vancouver city license if you work in city limits, and other cities as needed
  • Registration number on your website and ads
  • Google profile set as a service-area business, address hidden
  • Specific category, real services, real photos
  • A phone that gets answered
  • Review link sent after every job

What to do next

Our step by step Google Business Profile setup guide covers verification and service areas in more detail, and our guide to getting more Google reviews without breaking the rules has a simple script you can text to customers.

Quick answers

Do I need a Vancouver business license if my shop is in unincorporated Clark County?

The City of Vancouver says a business needs a city license if it is located in city limits or its staff do business within city limits. If you do jobs inside Vancouver, check the city's page or ask city licensing staff.

Do I have to put my contractor number on my Google profile?

Washington law (RCW 18.27.100) says advertising that shows a registered contractor's name or address must show the current registration number. Ask L&I if you're unsure how that applies to a specific listing.

Can I say "bonded and insured" in my ads?

RCW 18.27.100 says a contractor shall not advertise that it is bonded and insured because of the bond and insurance the registration law requires. Read the statute or ask L&I before using that phrase.

Should I show my home address on Google?

No. Google's guidelines say a service-area business should hide its address, using a plumber who works from home as its example.

Sources

If you would rather have someone handle this for you, Genius Marketing (our company) does this work for Clark County businesses.

Filed under Google Maps and Business Profile · For all industries: Attorneys · Med Spas · Chiropractors · Dentists · Home Services

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