Posts Tagged ‘contractor license bond’

Surety Bond Answers

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

I need a surety bond, and I don’t know what type I need? An easy way for you to find out what type of bond you need, besides calling us, is to call the obligee.  The Obligee will have the direct answer since they are the entity that is requiring to carrier the bond. Normally if you are applying for a license it is a State Department.  Permit may be needed by the state as well, but most of the time it is the city whom needs them.  It is also helpful to check your application that must be returned to the state. The licensing packet usually has a copy of the bond form and its requirements.
How much will my Surety Bond Cost?
The Cost of your surety bond depends. The Rate is determined by State, type of Bond, you credit, your personal financials, business financials and risk. All scenarios are different so some of the above listed information may be required or not. Some bonds like, notary bonds are not based on credit or financials. Notary bonds simply have a filled rate, were other bonds have a sliding scale.  The reason for that is unlike MVD bonds , contractor license bonds, and Mortgage broker bonds, notary bonds  claim ratio is low for now.  So the cost of the bond may start out at a 2% but the rate can jump up to 25% depending on your scenario.

Why do I Need a surety bond?
A surety bond does not protect you or your business, it protects the obligee. The obligee requires Surety bonds to protect them from, monetary compensation, breach of contract, payment of certain taxes, fraud and whatever else they have weaved into the bond form.  Unlike insurance surety bonds are a requirement and must be met before you can start or continue operating your business.

Different bonding needed for contractors

Friday, June 5th, 2009

What is bonding?
Bonding is where a principal obtains an extension of surety credit. In most cases when you refer to bonding you are referring to a contractor that has obtained bonding for their business like a bond line.

What is a Bond Line
A bond line is where the contractor has a line of surety credit to be used for future construction projects. Underwriting for performance bonds can be a long process but if you a bond line you do not have to reapply for every bond or bid bond you need.  When you have established a bonding relationship with the surety the surety normally requests updated financials every quarter.

What is a Bid Bond
In order to obtain a bid bond you must first qualify for what the final bond will be. There is some confusion about bid bonds.  You must qualify for the total contract amount not just what the bid bond will be. So if you need a $10,000 bid bond the surety is not underwriting off of that amount, but what the final bond will be. Usually a bid bond is an percentage of the total contract amount so if your bid bond is $10,000 and it is   5% of the total contract amount the final bond needed would be $200,000. So the surety will underwrite your application off of the final contract amount

What is a Final Bond
A final bond is also called a payment and performance bond. A final bond is when you have been awarded a bid. The bid bond than turns into the final bond you must sign the final bond reflecting the full contract amount and turn the bond into the obligee.

What is a Contractor license bond
A contractor license bond is a state requirement giving you the legal ability to perform constructions jobs in the state your business is operating in.  Obtaining a contractor license bond is usually the last step for the state to grant you your license.

How many license bonds are there?

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

What is a License and permit bond ?

License and permit bonds are considered  surety bonds. A  municipality will require certain business or individuals to obtain these surety bonds. Theses bonds are required  in order to guarantee that the principal will carrier out their duties, laws as well as anything else that is in the bond form.  If the principal breaches the contract stipulated in the surety bond form and a  bond claim occurs the surety will reimburse the  obligee and than collect the funds from the principal.

How is a Surety bond underwritten ?

Surety license bonds are underwritten just like any other surety bond. The Surety will review your credit, personal financials as well as your business financials to determine surety credit.

How many license bonds are there, and who requires them?

It is  almost impossible to count how many license bonds are out there.  Each city has their own license bond requirements for certain business industries as well as individuals. A city can determine by their on accord if they want someone or business to 0btain a surety bond.  For instance the city of South Houston requires car dealers to obtain a $25,000 surety bond to sell cars even though there is already a bond requirement from the state.

Some cites require license and permit bonds to remodel your home or easements on your property. License bonds can also be required from the state as well.  Some of the most common license bonds required by the state are contractor license bonds.

The federal government also requires license bonds such as a ICC bond. If you are going to provide  construction services for the federal government they will require that you are bonded with the state and carrier your contractor license.  The other bond that they will require is a payment and performance bonds.

You can find out more about payment and performance bonds as well as other surety bonds on our surety bond blog