California License Bond For Contractors
In California, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that is valued at $500 or more for combined labor and materials costs must hold a current, valid license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). One of the requirements for obtaining and maintaining this license is to have a contractor's license bond in place.
What you need to know about California contractor license bonds:
- The purpose of the bond is to protect consumers against potential financial losses should the contractor break licensing laws. The bond is a guarantee that the contractor will follow the rules and regulations set forth by the state.
- Amount Contractors must maintain a contractor’s bond of $15,000. This amount is subject to change. Always check with the CSLB for the latest requirements.
- Insurance vs. Bond It is important to know that insurance and a contractor's bonds are two different things. The bond protects consumers against contractor violations of licensing laws, while insurance covers most accidents or negligence resulting in property damage or injury.
- Claim against the Bond If an owner or other party believes that a contractor violated licensing laws, then they can make a claim on the bond. The surety will compensate the financial loss if the claim is valid.
- Bond Expiration : Bonds expire. Contractors must renew their bonds in a timely manner to avoid lapses of coverage that could affect their license status.
Texas License Bond For Contractors
Texas has different requirements for contractor license bonds than California. Texas does not require all contractors to be licensed and bonded on a state-wide basis. Some trades might require a license or bond while others may be regulated by the city or county.
Trade Specific Requirements While Texas does not require general contractors to be licensed and bonded statewide, certain specialized trades such as electricians, HVAC technicians and plumbers have licensing and bonding obligations that are specific. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or other specific departments are usually responsible for overseeing these requirements.
New York License Bond For Contractors
New York does not have a uniform licensing and bonding policy for all contractors. Certain types of contractors and trades have their own requirements. Many regulations are imposed at the local level (city or county), especially in large cities such as New York City.
What you need to know about New York contractor license bonds
- Local Requirements Large cities tend to have the most stringent requirements. New York City, for example, has licensing requirements that are specific to home improvement contractors. To obtain this license, you need a bond.
- Purpose : A contractor bond is used to protect consumers against financial losses. This could occur if the contractor does not fulfill their obligations.
- Bond amount: New York City home improvement contractors had to have a $20,000 bond. However, you should always check the local departments to find out the most recent figures.
Contractors in New York should be proactive and understand both the state and local laws that apply to their profession.
Oregon License Bond For Contractors
Contractors in Oregon are required to have a license and bond to work legally within the state. Oregon Construction Contractors Board oversees licensing and bonding for contractors. Specifics about the bond requirements and amount can vary depending on the work of the contractor.
Below is a breakdown on the contractor license bond requirements in Oregon.
- Bond amount: The bond amount required varies depending on what type of contractor you are. As an example:
- Residential general contractors may have a bond amount that is different from residential specialty contractors.
- Bond amounts for commercial contractors will vary based on the level of their business (e.g. Level 1, Level 2, or endorsement type).
- Additional Requirements Along with the bond, Oregon Contractors are also required by law to maintain certain levels and types of liability insurance. They may be asked to show proof of workers compensation coverage as well if they employ employees.
- Public Works Projects Contractors who work on public works in Oregon may need to get an additional bond called a public works bonds.
Contractors in Oregon must stay informed about the latest requirements of the CCB and maintain adequate bond coverage for their businesses and clients. You should always check periodically with the CCB and other relevant agencies to find out the latest bond requirements.
Residential Contractors:
- General Contractor: $20,000 bond
- Specialty Contractor: $15,000 bond
- Limited Contractor: $10,000 bond
- Developer: $20,000 bond
- Home Services Contractor: $10,000 bond
Commercial Contractors:
- Level 1:
- General Contractor: $75,000 bond
- Specialty Contractor: $50,000 bond
- Level 2:
- General Contractor: $20,000 bond
- Specialty Contractor: $20,000 bond
Washington License Bond For Contractors
Contractors in Washington State are regulated through the Department of Labor & Industries. Here's a concise breakdown of the amount of bond required by Washington contractors:
Residential contractors
- General Contract: $12,000 Bond
- Specialty contractor: $6,000 Bond
Commercial Contractors
- General Contract: $12,000 Bond
- Specialty contractor: $6,000 Bond
Other Requirements
- Contractors must also maintain general liability coverage. A general contractor will need to carry $200,000 in public liability insurance and $50,000 in property damage coverage. The amounts can vary. Specialty contractors typically require $50,000 in public liability insurance and $10,000 in property damage coverage.
- Workers Compensation: Contractors who have employees must maintain insurance for workers compensation.
Check with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to confirm the latest bond amounts and requirements.
Illinois License Bond For Contractors
In Illinois, contractor licensing and bond requirements are generally established at the local level rather than the state level. This means the requirements can differ significantly between municipalities and counties. There are, however, some state-level requirements for specific types of contractors, like roofers.
Here's a general overview:
Roofing Contractors:
At the state level, roofing contractors are regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Roofing contractors are required to obtain a license and a bond.
Limited Roofing License: Requires a $10,000 bond.
Unlimited Roofing License: Requires a $25,000 bond.
Local Requirements:
In many municipalities and counties in Illinois, general contractors and various specialty contractors may need to be bonded to get licensed. The bond amount and requirements differ widely among these local jurisdictions.
For example, the city of Chicago has its own specific bond requirements for general contractors and various specialty trades.
Other Considerations:
- It's essential to note that apart from bonds, many local jurisdictions may also have specific insurance requirements, licensing exams, and fees that contractors need to satisfy.
Contractors operating in Illinois should check with the local city or county government where they plan to work to determine the specific bond and licensing requirements for that area. If working statewide or in multiple jurisdictions, be prepared to meet different requirements in each location.
Pennsylvania License Bond For Contractors
In Pennsylvania, there isn't a single, statewide bond requirement for all contractors. However, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office requires contractors to register with the state if they perform $5,000 or more of home improvement work annually. This registration doesn't require a bond for all, but certain situations may necessitate it. Additionally, many local jurisdictions within Pennsylvania might have their own specific bonding requirements for contractors.
Here's an overview:
Home Improvement Contractors:
As part of the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), contractors who perform more than $5,000 worth of home improvement work annually must register with the Attorney General's Office.Contractors might be required to post a bond if they have ever been convicted of a crime related to their professional practice.
Local Requirements:
Various municipalities and counties within Pennsylvania may have their own licensing and bonding requirements for contractors operating within their jurisdictions. This could include both general contractors and those in specialized trades.
The bond amounts and other specifics can vary widely among these local jurisdictions.
Other Considerations:
- While a statewide bond might not be mandated for all contractors, there are other responsibilities, such as having proper insurance coverage, that contractors must fulfill.
- Any contractor, even if not required to register or be bonded at the state level, must still comply with the terms set forth in the HICPA, especially regarding written contracts and fraud prevention.
To ensure full compliance, contractors in Pennsylvania should:
- Check with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office regarding state-level requirements.
- Check with local city or county governments to determine if there are specific bonding or licensing mandates in place for the area they intend to work in.