Michigan Contractor License Bond

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What Is a Michigan Contractor License Bond?

In many states, licensed contractors working in the construction industry must comply with specific regulations to operate their businesses legally. One of the mandates that commonly comes with being a licensed contractor is posting a surety bond.

In Michigan, some construction contractors must obtain a Michigan contractor license bond as part of the licensing process. A Michigan contractor license bond protects the jurisdiction where the contractor works, as well as the customers or vendors the contractor engages with in the course of doing business.

If work on a construction project is not performed well or is left incomplete, then a claim against the Michigan contractor license bond may be made.

How Does a Michigan Contractor License Bond Work?

As with any surety bond, a Michigan contractor license bond is an agreement between three distinct parties.

The Obligee

The obligee is the local licensing authority mandating a contractor license bond be put in place.

The Principal

The contractor required to secure the bond to license their business is known as the principal.

The Surety

The bond is purchased by the contractor from a surety company, and the surety company pays any claims made on the bond. The contractor must eventually pay back the claims.

Michigan Contractor License Bond Obligee Details

The obligee of a Michigan contractor license bond varies depending on the city or county in which the contractor works. For instance, the St. Clair Shores's Building Department under the Community Development and Inspections Department is the obligee of Michigan contractor license bonds in this jurisdiction.

Who Needs a Michigan Contractor License Bond?

Unlike other states that require all licensed contractors to secure a surety bond, Michigan contractor license bonds are only necessary on a local level. Currently, the city of St. Clair Shores and Oakland County in Michigan are the only two local jurisdictions requiring a Michigan contractor license bond as part of the contractor licensing process.

Any individual who performs work that falls under the category of contractor in these two locations must obtain a bond in order to remain compliant with the law.

How Do You Get a Michigan Contractor License Bond?

Licensed contractors who need a Michigan contractor license bond may start the process by filling out a short online quote form with the surety company. After providing information about the bond type and amount, and a review of credit, pricing for the bond is provided, and payment can be made.

How Much Does a Michigan Contractor License Bond Cost?

The cost of a Michigan contractor license bond varies from contractor to contractor, depending on a few specific factors. The amount of the bond that must be in place for a licensed contractor can be as low as $1,000, but contractors do not pay this full amount.

The surety company providing the bond calculates the price as a percentage of the bond total. For most contractors, this ranges from 1 to 10 percent.

Can I Get a Michigan Contractor License Bond with Bad Credit?

The surety company reviews a contractor's credit history to evaluate the financial risk of issuing a bond as part of the process. Contractors who have less than ideal credit can still purchase a bond, but they are likely to pay a higher bond price than those who have strong credit histories.

How Do I Renew My Michigan Contractor License Bond?

Michigan contractor license bonds may need to be renewed each year or every few years to remain compliant with licensing regulations. Regardless of when your renewal occurs, you should receive a renewal reminder. You should never ignore this reminder because doing so will risk invalidating your bond if it expires.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing is a percentage of the contractor license bond amount that’s required of you, which is based on your personal credit. Use our bond pricing tool to to get a quick ballpark estimate.

Yes. You can apply and get bonded with bad credit. Our agency is the largest writer of bonds in the county, which allows us to approve contractors for bonds when other agencies cannot.

No. Contractor license bonds ensure you will abide by the laws of your state, city or municipality when performing contracting work. Contract bonds guarantee public projects will be completed properly and are a separate bond type. You can learn more about contract surety bonds by visiting the contractor bond center.

It depends on who is requiring the bond of you, the local municipality, county or state. Depending on your location, it is possible you may need both a local and state bond, as contractor license bond requirements can vary drastically. You can select your state to see a full list of contractor license bond requirements.


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