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Men looking at construction blue-print on table.

SURETY BONDS 

Why do you need a Surety Bond?

A surety bond is a three-party guarantee between the surety, the obligee (usually the project owner), and the contractor. The surety guarantees to the owner that the contractor will perform a contract in accordance with contract documents. Although surety bonding is considered a line of insurance, it has many characteristics of bank credit. The qualification process for the contractor is more like obtaining bank credit than purchasing insurance.  

 CONTRACT BONDS 

Federal, State, Local Governments and most school districts require contract surety bonds. These bonds are designed to protect the tax payers on publicly funded projects. Some private owners and bank funding sources also require contract bonds to protect their financial interests and potential liens that occur in disputes and failures on private projects.

BID BONDS

A Bid Bond provides financial assurance to the owner. This type of bond states that the contractor possesses sufficient financial credentials to accept the job and will enter into a contract with the owner for the contractor’s bid. The contractor also commits to providing a performance and payment bond when awarded the project.

PERFORMANCE BONDS

A Performance Bond ensures the contractor will perform its contractual duties in accordance with the contract. If the contractor fails to complete the project according to the contract, the owner can make a claim. Frequently, performance bonds work in conjunction with payment bonds.

PAYMENT BONDS

A Payment Bond, also known as a Labor and Material Bond, guarantees that the contractor will pay all financial obligations (material, labor, subcontract, etc.) relating to the contract. If the contractor fails to pay subcontractors and suppliers for their work, the payment bond amount may be used as reimbursement to these parties.

MAINTENANCE BONDS

A Maintenance Bond provides coverage against defects or faulty workmanship for a specified time after a project’s completion. If a project is deemed defective during this time period, the maintenance bond amount may be used to cover necessary repairs.

SUPPLY BONDS

A Supply Bond guarantees the contractor will provide certain supplies, equipment or materials to the owner. If the contractor fails to provide the agreed upon items, the supply bond amount may be used to reimburse the owner for any resulting loss.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONS GUARANTEED BONDS

The SBA guarantees surety bonds for certain surety companies, which allows the companies to offer surety bonds to small businesses that might not meet the criteria for other sureties.

  Commercial Bonds 

A Commercial Bond guarantees the contract will comply with local statutes and ordinances. This type of bond is also known as a license or permit bond. Depending on the project, Commercial Bonds may also oversee adherence to state and federal regulations. The major categories of Commercial Bonds include:

LICENSE & PERMIT BONDS

These bonds are required by the federal, state or local government as a condition to engage in a business activity or the granting of a permit to exercise a particular privilege, and guarantee compliance with statutes, ordinances and departmental rules.

COURT BONDS

All court bonds guarantee payment in actions at law either for costs and damages or for judgement. This broad category includes bonds for plaintiffs and defendants.

FIDUCIARY BONDS

These bonds are generally required by law or by order of a court for persons or businesses managing the estate or property of another. The surety guarantees the faithful performance of duties and compliance with orders of the court governing actions of the fiduciary.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL BONDS

These bonds cover the official's term of office and guarantee that the bonded official will faithfully perform the duties of their office.

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