Bonds
Guide to California Contractors License Bonds
As of January 1st, 2023, the California Contractors License Board has increased the license bond requirement from $15,000 to $25,000. This bond is necessary to protect the public and ensure that contractors comply with state laws in their business activities. In this guide, you’ll learn more about how these bonds work, their associated costs, and other types of bonds that contractors may be required to obtain.
License Bond
In California, licensed contractors or applicants are required by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to get a $25,000 bond or bond equivalent. This bond is for the benefit of the contractor's customers if they suffer financial harm due to the contractor's actions.
Permit Bond
In the construction industry, a permit bond is a type of surety bond required by a local municipality, state, or federal agency for certain projects. It guarantees that the contractor or property owner will comply with all laws, ordinances and building codes related to the project.
Contract Bond
A "Contract Bond," also known as a "Construction Bond," is a type of surety bond that ensures a contract is fulfilled. Common types of Contract Bonds in the construction industry include Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Payment Bonds, Sub Division Bonds, and Maintenance Bonds.
Parties Involved in Contractor License Bonding Process
A contractor license bond is a type of surety bond used to guarantee that a contractor will fulfill their contractual obligations and follow state laws. It is a three-party agreement between the contractor (also known as the principal), the obligee (in this case, the State of California – Contractors State License Board), and the surety (an insurance company).
The contractor license bond protects the obligee (i.e., the state) by providing a financial guarantee of $25,000 that the contractor will abide by state laws and regulations. If the contractor fails to comply with these laws, the surety will have to pay out the bond to the obligee. The contractor is responsible for reimbursing the surety for any payments made on their behalf.
It is important to note that all sureties providing license bonds must be approved by the California Department of Insurance. The Contractors State License Board posts a list of approved carriers on their website, and Surety works with bond carriers on this list. This means that if you choose to work with Surety, you can trust that you are getting a valid bond.
In summary, a contractor license bond is a legal agreement between a contractor, an obligee, and a surety. It ensures that the contractor will follow state laws and regulations, and it provides financial protection for the obligee in case the contractor does not fulfill their obligations. When choosing a provider for your contractor license bond, it is important to ensure that they work with approved carriers, such as Surety, to guarantee the validity of the bond.
Does Credit Matter When Applying for a License Bond?
When applying for a license bond, one might wonder whether their credit score plays a role in the application process. While having a good credit score can certainly help, it is not necessarily a requirement for obtaining a license bond. It is, however, important to note that certain factors such as credit history, financial stability, and overall creditworthiness may be taken into account by the surety company when deciding whether or not to approve a bond application. Therefore, it is always a good idea to maintain a healthy credit score and financial standing to increase the likelihood of being approved for a license bond. Additionally, working with a reputable surety company and providing any relevant documentation or information can also help in the application process.
