What is a Home Improvement Bond?
Home improvement contractors may be required to post a home improvement bond as part of the licensing regulations in the state or municipality where they work. A home improvement bond serves as a form of protection for a contractor’s customers against fraud or illegal activities, as well as violations of building codes. When a customer suffers financial harm at the hands of a contractor, a claim can be made against a home improvement bond.
A home improvement bond is a three-party contract that encompasses the surety company providing the bond, the principal or contractor required to post a bond, and the obligee mandating a bond be secured. If you would like to better understand how a surety bond works, you can find all the information you need in our FAQ section.
What Does a Home Improvement Bond Cost?
Similar to other surety bonds, a home improvement bond is priced as a percent of the total bond requirement. Bond amounts can range significantly from one location to the next, but typical bond requirements fall between $10,000 and $25,000. Home improvement contractors do not pay the full bond amount, but instead, they pay a bond premium ranging from 1 to 10% of the total.
The bond premium you pay for a home improvement bond is based on several factors, including your personal credit and your business financials. Contractors with an adverse credit history or low credit scores due to court judgments, liens, or missed payments pay a higher bond premium than those who have a strong credit profile. This is because a home improvement bond extends credit to the contractor to cover valid claims from customers.
How Do I Get a Home Improvement Bond?
You can start the process of obtaining a home improvement bond by submitting a brief application online. Once the surety company has reviewed your application details, including your personal credit history, you are given a quote for your bond premium.
Contractor Insurance
There are several types of insurance coverages that are recommended for contractors, but the recommended coverage will vary based on your operation.
If you’d like to learn more about all of the insurance coverages available to you, please read our contractor insurance guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply and get approved on our website, sign the surety agreements, and we will ship the bond out. If you would like to better understand how a surety bond works, you can find all the information you need in our FAQ section.
Yes, it’s possible, but bad credit usually results in higher rates.
Yes. We provide the lowest rates possible as a result of the large volume of bonds we write.
You must contact us immediately, as we have a team of claim specialists here to find a resolution for you. Keep in mind, it is crucial that you work with an expert in the surety industry. Learn more about how to ensure you choose the proper bond company.
You can take a look at our full list of license and permit bonds.
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