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How Much Does a Contractor License Bond Cost in California?
A California contractor license bond costs an average of $250 - $750.
The bond cost is a small percentage of the total bond amount needed ($25,000). This amount is also known as a “bond rate” or “bond premium”. Generally, the better an applicant’s credit score, the lower their cost.
|
Surety Bond Cost Based on Credit Score |
||||
|
Surety Bond Name |
Surety Bond Amount |
Over 700 |
Between 600 - 699 |
Below 599 |
|
California Contractor License Bond |
$25,000 |
$250 - $750 |
$750 - $1250 |
$1250 - $2500 |
How to Get a California Contractor License Bond
1. Apply for a California License Bond
Apply for a bond online or call us at (888) 592-6631.
The online application is the quickest way to apply—giving you an instant free quote. However, either method can get you bonded in as little as a day.
Ensure that you have the following information on hand when applying:
- Bond Name (California Contractor License Bond)
- Bond Amount ($25,000)
- Business Name (must match CSLB’s records)
- Contractor License Number (if available)
2. Sign the Documentation & Pay Your Invoice
You will receive a bond quote via email. If you are satisfied with your quote, log onto our website to sign the required documents and pay your invoice.
3. Get Your Bond
Once payment is confirmed, a copy of your bond will be emailed to you. Double-check that all information on it is correct. Your bond must have the exact same business name and license number as those on file with the CSLB.
4. Send Your Bond
The original bond will be sent by mail. The bond must be forwarded to CSLB headquarters’ office. It needs to arrive within 90 days of the effective date on the bond.
California Contractor License Bond Requirements
In the State of California, contractors must get a contractor’s license bond to renew, reactivate, or get a new contractor’s license from the CSLB. Additional bonds may also be needed to:
- renew a revoked license
- operate as a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- work in specific cities or counties
- complete certain types of contracting work
In the table below, you can find additional surety bonds that contractors in California may need to operate in compliance with local regulations.
|
Bond Type |
Bond Amount |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$25,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
LLC Employee/Worker Bond |
$100,000 |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
City of Escondido Guarantee and Warranty of Improvements Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
City of Fremont Labor and Material Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
City of Los Angeles Excavation Bond |
$1 - $200,000 |
|
$1,000 - $1,500,000 |
|
|
$10,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
City of Los Angeles Subdivision Labor and Material Payment Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
$1 - $100,000 |
|
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
City of Palos Verdes Estates Contractor Bond |
$10,000 - $20,000 |
|
City of Pomona Labor and Material Payment Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
City of Pomona Warranty and Maintenance Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$1,000 - $300,000 |
|
|
City of Sunnyvale Maintenance Bond |
$1,000 - $500,000 |
|
City of Vista Landscaping and Irrigation Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
City of Westminster Labor and Materials Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
Department of Transportation Payment Bond |
$1,000 - $250,000 |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
|
|
Rowland Water District Contractor Payment Bond |
$1,000 - $500,000 |
|
Sacramento Suburban Water District Encroachment Permit and Maintenance Bond |
$25,000 |
|
$5,000 - $25,000 |
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our bond experts. We recently had a client starting a construction business that was confused about bonding. One of our surety experts was able to answer their bonding questions and sort out which California surety bonds the client needed.
How to Get Your Contractor License in California
To get a California contractor license, apply through the CSLB. To complete the contractor licensing application, you need to have:
- Required experience. Within the last 10 years, at least four (4) years of experience in the classification for which you are applying.
- Knowledge of the license types to know which you need:
- Class A: General Engineering Contractor
- Class B: General Building Contractor
- Class B-2: Residential Remodeling Contractor
- Class C: Specialty Contractor (Roofing, Plumbing, etc.)
- Proof of working capital of at least $2,500.
- Documentation for prior experience such as a Certification of Work Experience to prove journey-level experience. A Construction Project Experience form is also required for each prior completed construction project. This section is also where any certification from accredited schools or training programs can be inserted.
- Contractor’s insurance.
- A background check through Live Scan Fingerprinting.
- A California contractor license surety bond in the amount of $25,000.
After your application is processed, you will need to book a sitting for a licensing exam. This includes a written Law and Business Examination and a specific trade examination (if required).
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