Dallas, TX
Performance and payment bonds in Dallas, Texas
Bid, performance, and payment bonds for contractors working in Dallas, with county industry data. A quote is not a binder.
With about 1,300,000 people, Dallas sits in a county whose construction sector numbered 4,921 establishments in 2023. Contractors competing for Dallas schools, streets, utilities, and commercial buildings regularly need surety bonds to win and sign contracts.
Contractors in Dallas County by the numbers
| Measure (2023) | Dallas County | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Construction establishments (all) | 4,921 | 56,287 |
| Construction employees | 97,169 | 791,588 |
| Annual payroll per construction employee | $86,249 | $75,479 |
| Commercial and institutional building contractors | 399 | 3,649 |
| Heavy and civil engineering contractors | 297 | 4,468 |
| Construction firms with fewer than 5 employees | 57% | 61% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023: construction (NAICS 23), commercial and institutional building construction (NAICS 236220), and heavy and civil engineering construction (NAICS 237). Figures withheld by the Census Bureau are omitted.
Road, utility, and site work around Dallas is handled by 297 heavy and civil contractors in the county. Public works contracts in that sector routinely require performance and payment bonds, and many owners add maintenance bonds after acceptance.
There are 399 commercial building contractors in the county. If you build or subcontract on schools, civic buildings, or larger private projects near Dallas, expect bond requirements in the bid documents.
What Dallas's buildings say about upcoming work
Dallas's median housing year of 1981 points to infrastructure entering its replacement cycle, from water mains to roofs on public buildings, all common sources of bonded contracts.
Buildings with five or more units make up 47% of Dallas's housing (Texas: 21%). Larger multifamily and mixed-use projects frequently involve lenders who require payment and performance bonds from the general contractor.
The Census Bureau's 2020–2024 survey puts Dallas's housing stock at 590,237.0 units, 45% of them single-family homes, with 58% of occupied homes rented. Those numbers shape the mix of bonded street, utility, and facility contracts the city puts out.
Source: Census ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates; Vintage 2024 population estimates.
Statutory bonds on Dallas public work
State and local public works in Dallas fall under Texas's bond statute: Texas Government Code chapter 2253 (public work performance and payment bonds). Federal projects in the area follow the Miller Act. Thresholds and claim deadlines differ, so read each solicitation.
57% of construction businesses in the county are small (under five employees). Growing from small bonds to larger programs depends on working capital, completed-job history, and reliable financial reporting.
Dallas compared with other Texas markets
Houston (Harris County) draws on 7,718 construction establishments in its county. Bexar County, home to San Antonio, lists 3,053 construction businesses. Irving shares Dallas County with Dallas; its median housing year is 1986. By county construction establishments, Dallas ranks 3rd among the 30 Texas cities profiled here.
Preparing a Dallas bond request
- CPA-prepared statements for the last fiscal year
- The bond form and bid documents
- Work-in-progress schedule
- Trade references who can speak to your payment record
- Contract amount, schedule, and owner
- Company name, entity type, and ownership
Dallas bond FAQ
Do Dallas public projects require performance bonds?
Generally yes, above thresholds set by Texas law and the owner. See the Texas page.
How many contractors work in Dallas County?
The Census Bureau counted 4,921 construction establishments in Dallas County in 2023.
Can a small Dallas contractor get bonded?
Yes, usually starting with smaller bonds. See how to get bonded.
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Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research