RainWise

Contractor Resources

RainWise is a rebate program that helps eligible property owners manage stormwater by installing cisterns and/or rain gardens on private property. Contractors must go through our Orientation and be licensed.

See Contractor Licensing Requirements for more information.

Please email rainwise@seattle.gov with any questions. 

Become a RainWise Contractor: Orientation

We provide training for contractors and landscape professionals to learn the requirements to install cisterns and/or rain gardens on private property in specific Seattle neighborhoods through RainWise. There are 3 steps to becoming a RainWise contractor:

  1. Complete our self-paced online orientation
  2. Attend an in-person site tour
  3. Submit required documentation, including licensing

Take the first step by completing our online, self-paced course. Instructions for steps 2 and 3 are provided within. Have questions? Email us at rainwise@seattle.gov

START COURSE

RainWise Contractors

Current RainWise Contractor?

Attend the RainWise Contractor Roundtable on September 9th

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Attend an upcoming outreach event to chat about your business

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Become a RainWise Contractor: Next Steps

After you have completed the RainWise Contractor Orientation, refer to these documents to become a RainWise contractor:

RainWise Project Paperwork Forms

Before the Project Starts

Before construction begins on a RainWise project, contractors are responsible for the completion of these forms.

Project Completed: Rebate Paperwork

Here are the forms that need to be completed by the property owner and contractor to receive the final rebate payment.

  1. RainWise Rebate Overview
  2. Rebate Paperwork Checklist
  3. RainWise Rebate Form
  4. Property Owner Agreement, For non single-family residence projects over 2,000 sq ft a Large Facility Agreement is required
  5. Vendor Payment Option (VPO) Form or W-9 form, W-9 required if not using VPO
  6. Rain Garden Warranty Form and/or Cistern Warranty Form
  7. Statement of Rain Garden Function Form and/or Statement of Cistern Function Form
  8. Rockery Release Form, if applicable
  9. Infiltration Test and Certification, if applicable

For efficiency/ease, here is a consolidated packet of forms that contractors will need to complete with the customer, along with an optional W-9 form.

Here are additional forms that the contractor is responsible for including in the final submittal.

  1. Pre-construction Inspection Sheet or Notice of RainWise Project
  2. Post-construction Inspection Sheet
  3. Web-based Rebate Calculator 
  4. Final Site Plan
  5. Invoice

Once compiled, all documents can be sent by email (preferred) to rainwise@seattle.gov or mailed to SPU: RainWise, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, P.O. Box 34018, Seattle, WA 98124-4018.

Contractor Skill-Building

The RainWise program’s Contractor Skill-Building page is designed to help increase contractors’ skills and capacity so that they can build more successful RainWise installations and incorporate RainWise as a profit-making part of their business. Visit this page to learn more about how you can launch your own RainWise business and/or further develop your skills as a RainWise contractor.

CONTRACTOR SKILL-BUILDING PAGE

Financial Support Options

For contractors:

For property owners:

  • RainWise Access Grant: Provides up to an additional $1000 for RainWise-eligible homeowners and non-profit community organizations (including religious groups) for income-limited and underserved communities

Marketing, Design and Maintenance Materials & Resources

Marketing:

Design Specifications:

Guides for Plant Selection:

Use these plant suggestions and plans to simplify your design process and share options with customers.

Maintenance:

Teach your customers how to maintain their cistern and rain gardens. Use our maintenance guide or “how-to” videos. These are all available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Contractor Newsletter

The RainWise Program emails and its Contractor News and Tips Newsletter to RainWise contractors. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide contractors with important program updates and events. If you are a RainWise contractor and you are not receiving the newsletter by email, please contact us at rainwise@seattle.gov to let us know. Please also let us know if you change your email address. We want to make sure we are sending the newsletter to the right place!

Current Contractor Newsletter – Rebate increase, Online calculator, and Upcoming Events

Contractor Newsletter Archive

Other Resources

General Business Resources

Other GSI Information