Bond guide
How to get bonded as a contractor
Getting bonded is a process of showing a surety that you can perform and pay. Here is how to approach it.
Steps
- Gather company and personal financial information
- Prepare a resume of experience and a list of completed jobs
- Complete the surety application
- Provide a work-in-progress schedule if you have current jobs
- Review and sign the indemnity agreement
- Receive your single and aggregate limits
- Request bid and final bonds as jobs come up
Before you apply
Clean up your books, reconcile your work-in-progress schedule with your financial statements, and make sure your bank line is in place. A surety relationship works best when it starts before you need a bond on deadline.
See the document checklist or request a bond quote.
Frequently asked questions
Can a new company get bonded?
Yes, usually starting with smaller bonds and relying on owners' credit and experience.
Do I need audited financial statements?
Not for small bonds. Larger programs commonly require reviewed or audited statements from a CPA.
Why does the surety want personal indemnity?
Owners' personal indemnity aligns their interests with the surety's and provides additional recovery if a loss occurs.
More bond guides
- Performance bonds for contractors
- Payment bonds
- Bid bonds
- Maintenance bonds
- Supply bonds
- Contractor license and permit bonds
- How to get bonded as a contractor
- Bonding capacity explained
- What determines performance bond cost
- Public works bond laws: the Miller Act and state statutes
- Surety prequalification checklist for contractors
Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we research