GUIDE
Texting Customers in Washington: The Basics for Contractors
The basic rules contractors should know before texting customers in Washington State: consent, opt-out, quiet hours and carrier registration.
Service texts vs. marketing texts
Texts about a job the customer asked for (appointment times, on-the-way notices, quotes and invoices they requested) are treated differently from promotional texts. Promotions need the customer's agreement first.
Get and keep consent
Use an unchecked opt-in box with clear wording on your forms and agreements, and keep a record of when and how each customer agreed.
Honor STOP right away
Every customer must be able to opt out, and an opt-out has to stick across all your systems.
Register your number
Carriers require business numbers to register (A2P 10DLC). Unregistered numbers get filtered or blocked.
Not legal advice
Washington's Commercial Electronic Mail Act and federal rules both apply to commercial texting. This page is general information; talk to an attorney about your business.