Date:Posted By:Category:Bonds

How to Get a California Contractors Bond

Are you planning to undertake any form of construction and desire to learn about how to get a contractor bond? If so, this write-up will provide crucial tips that will unquestionably prove helpful with your needs. Also known as a surety bond, a $15,000 California contractor bond refers to a surety bond that is required by the CSLB to offer protection against financial losses or disruption related with failure by the contractor to adhere to contract specifications or to finish the job as specified in the terms of the agreement.

When contractors vie for construction jobs, they are normally needed to put up a construction bond. Generally, the contractor bond offers assurance to the owner of the construction project of concern that the hired contractor will perform his or her role following the terms specified in the agreement.

Benefits of a Contractor Bond

As a result of the assurance offered, bonding a contractor any time you are having any form of construction task presents many merits including:

*Prevents contract disputes

*More attractive to subcontractors, suppliers, and employees

*Signals financial strength

How to Get a Contractor Bond

Tip#1: Verifying the Kind of Surety Bond you Require

Before you strike a deal with a surety provider, it is vital you are aware of the specific kind of surety bond you require. This is important since the type of surety bond needed differs from one state to another. Ensure therefore you enquire from the project owner or the government agency about the surety bond form you require before applying for one.

Tip#2: Applying for your Surety Bond

When shopping for a bond, it is ideal you consider collaborating with a surety bond provider that provides bonds nationwide as it will enable you to secure an expert that can bond you regardless of what state you opt to work in. Some of the details the surety provider you link up with will require from you include your personal financial history and professional work experience among others.

Tip#3: Acquiring a Surety Bond Estimate

Several factors will determine the price you will be required to pay for your surety bond. For instance, if you have a good credit history, you may be required to pay 1-5% of the amount of bond unlike when having a poor credit score whereby you could end up paying up to 20 %.
To determine the exact amount you will be required to pay for your surety bond, it is vital you contact a surety firm.

Tip#4: Paying for a Surety Bond

Once you approve your surety bond quote, you will likely be needed to pay the entire premium up front. However, there are situations whereby surety underwriters choose to provide premium financing to a qualifying applicant.
After you have paid the premium, your surety provider will then execute your bond before sending it to you.

Tip#5: Verifying the Details on Your Surety Bond

Once you receive your surety bond, it is crucial you confirm that all the details on it are correct. In case you encounter any error on your surety form, ensure you inform your surety immediately.

Bottom Line

After you have confirmed the accuracy of your bond form, you should then finalize the exercise by filing the surety bond form with the specific obligee that is in need of it.

Construction Bonds 101
Date:Posted By:Category:BondsTag:, , , ,

Construction Bonds 101

For anyone looking to trade in the construction industry, contractor bonds are a MUST have. What’s more, if you
only assume that bonds are only necessary for substantial public projects, you are mistaken! Whether your specialty is in the public or private sector, contractor bonds are an integral part of establishing a competitive business.

To get a better understanding of construction bonds, it is essential that you initially recognize that ‘construction bonds’ and other related terms such as ‘contract bonds’ ‘statutory and defect bonds,’ or even ‘performance, payment and performance bonds’ all represent one thing.

Defining Construction Bonds:

Construction bonds are merely types of surety bonds which guarantee that contracts will not only be fulfilled but also punctually completed and as per the specifications of the contract. As such, where the contracted party fails to act on all the stipulated conditions, a project owner can subsequently make a claim on the bond to cover for the resulting financial losses incurred.  Here is how that works.


While these bonds are generally considered vital for projects funded by the government, some private project managers may also require for these bonds to be included in the overall bidding process.

Types of Construction Bonds

1. Performance Bond

This is a bond that ensures that a contractor completes a project as per the stipulated terms in a contract. In the instance where a contractor defaults on some terms in the agreement, a project owner can file a claim against the bond for compensation-funds that can be used to hire another contractor to finalize the project.

2. Bid Bond

This is a bond that ensures that only the bidders who have fulfilled all the financial requirements submit their bid applications. Where bids are retracted soon after being accepted, project managers can file claims against the bond to cover for the difference between the proposal of the retracting contractor and the second to lowest or next bid. You can consider this bond a performance and payment bond pre-qualification.

3. Maintenance Bond

This is a bond that provides security against faulty materials and workmanship for a specified time frame after the completion of a project. If either the project itself or materials are identified as defective within this period, the bond can subsequently go towards paying for replacements and repairs should the contractor fail or is unwilling to fix it.

4. Payment Bond

This is a bond that ensures streamlined payments especially in instances where contractors declare bankruptcy. The claim made against this bond can assist in compensating suppliers and subcontractors where the primary contractor is unable to pay. According to the Federal Miller Act, these bonds are mandatory on every federal-funded project, mainly where the contract is over and beyond $100,000.

Construction works are heavily regulated particularly where federal and state contracts are involved. As such, depending on the type of project you are working on, you will need to have a distinct kind of contractor bond, or rather, a construction bond.