How to get bonded as a contractor
Steps to getting bonded: preparing financials, choosing a surety relationship, the application, the indemnity agreement, and growing your program.
Bonding capacity explained
What single-job and aggregate bonding limits are, what drives them, and practical ways contractors grow capacity.
What determines performance bond cost
How sureties price performance and payment bonds, the factors that move the rate, and why published rate charts may not apply to you.
Public works bond laws: the Miller Act and state statutes
How the federal Miller Act and state Little Miller Acts require performance and payment bonds on public construction.
Surety prequalification checklist for contractors
Documents sureties typically request: financial statements, WIP schedules, bank references, resumes, and project details.
Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research