A contractor bond is required to become a licensed contractor in many states. The bond is meant to protect customers from contractor malpractice.
We know getting bonded can seem daunting. We've helped hundreds of contractors get bonded across the country, and we'll make sure you get the right bond at the best price.
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Whether or not you need a contractor bond depends on your local state regulations. Every state and licensing board has their own rules.
We've figured out these various state requirements for you ahead of time. Click on your state to figure out if you need the bond
Yes, when issuing a contractor bond, insurance companies will typically conduct a "soft credit check" on individual contractors to determine price and eligibility. It's important to note that this type of credit check will not have any impact on an individual’s credit score.
The following information is collected to determine the eligibility and pricing of a contractor bond:
We’ll send you via email a PDF copy of the bond once it’s been processed. This will serve as proof that you are bonded.
Generally speaking, a credit score under 650 is considered “bad credit”. We have several insurance partners that specialize in this market, so if you have a less than perfect credit score we can help. Give us a call and we’ll shop around to get you the lowest possible quote.
The cost of a contractor bond is influenced by a variety of factors, including the contractor's credit score, years of experience, and the insurance company offering the bond.
For example, in California, a $25,000 bond is required, and costs between $250 to $2000. Contractors with limited experience or poor credit may be subject to higher rates. The chart below offers a quick reference for the approximate cost of a $25,000 bond.
We get it. Why do you even need this bond in the first place?
Contractor bonds exist as a means for regulators to protect the public from contractor malpractice. For example, a contractor is accused of installed a leaky roof, but claims that they were not responsible and refuses to fix the leaky roof. In this case, the home owner can sue the contractor in small claims court, but that would take so much effort and time. If this happened in a state with a bond requirement, the homeowner can look up who the contractor is bonded with, give their surety company a call and request an investigation. The surety company acts as a third-party to verify the validity of this claim and make payment as needed.
