Contractor Bonds for California — CSLB License, Bid & Performance
California's CSLB requires a $25,000 license bond before issuing or renewing any contractor license. Public works projects require bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds. Your bonding capacity determines which projects you can pursue. We work with construction-focused sureties for competitive rates at every credit level.
California Bond Requirements
California's bonding framework is layered — license bonds, qualifier bonds, bid bonds, and performance bonds each serve distinct purposes and are governed by different statutes.
CSLB Contractor License Bond ($25,000)
California Business & Professions Code §7071.6 requires every licensed contractor to maintain a $25,000 license bond. This bond protects consumers against contractor violations — fraud, abandonment, willful departure from plans, or failure to pay subcontractors. Your license cannot be issued or renewed without an active bond. Premium typically runs 1-5% of the bond amount ($250-$1,250/year) based on credit.
Bid Bonds — Public Works Entry
California Public Contract Code §20170 requires bid bonds on most public works projects exceeding $5,000. The bond (typically 10% of bid amount) guarantees you'll sign the contract if awarded. Without a bid bond, your proposal is automatically rejected. Pre-qualified contractors with established surety relationships often pay no premium for bid bonds — they're issued as a service by the surety.
Performance & Payment Bonds
California Civil Code §9550 requires payment bonds on public works. Performance bonds guarantee project completion per contract terms. Payment bonds guarantee subcontractors and suppliers receive payment. Both are typically 100% of contract value. Your bonding capacity — the maximum aggregate amount of bonded work you can carry — determines which projects you can pursue.
Qualifying Individual Bond ($12,500)
If your qualifying individual (the person whose license qualifies the company) is not a majority owner, California requires an additional $12,500 bond or deposit. This Qualifier Bond protects the public against the qualifying individual's actions. It's separate from and in addition to the $25,000 license bond. Many contractors overlook this requirement until CSLB flags it during renewal.
Complete California Bonding Solutions
From the mandatory $25,000 license bond to multi-million dollar performance bonds, we provide every bond type California contractors need — with competitive rates for all credit levels.
- CSLB license bond — $25,000 mandatory bond for all California contractor licenses
- Qualifier bond — $12,500 bond when qualifying individual isn't majority owner
- Bid bonds — typically 10% of bid amount for public works and competitive bids
- Performance bonds — 100% of contract value guaranteeing project completion
- Payment bonds — 100% of contract value guaranteeing subcontractor/supplier payment
- Subdivision bonds — guaranteeing completion of off-site improvements for residential developers
- Permit bonds — required by municipalities for specific construction activities
- Maintenance bonds — guaranteeing workmanship for a specified period post-completion
Real-World Scenario
Los Angeles General Contractor
A GC with $3M annual revenue bid a $2.4M school renovation. They had the experience, the team, and the competitive price. But their bonding capacity was limited to $1.5M — their surety hadn't reviewed recent financials showing improved working capital and a clean claims year.
After we connected them with a construction-focused surety and submitted updated financials, their bonding capacity increased to $4M within two weeks. They won the school project on their next bid.
Result: $4M Bonding Capacity
- • Previous capacity: $1.5M (limiting project size)
- • Updated financials submitted to new surety
- • New capacity: $4M (aggregate)
- • First project won: $2.4M school renovation
- • Bond premium: ~$48,000 (2% of contract)
Proper surety relationships unlock projects that grow your business. Bonding capacity is a competitive advantage.
Contractor Bonds Resource Library
In-depth guides covering CSLB bond requirements, bonding capacity, bid bond strategies, and California-specific surety information.
More California Coverage
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AB 5 classification, EMR management & Cal/OSHA compliance
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National Bonding Guides
Bid Bonds
Complete national bid bond guide for contractors
Performance Bonds
Project completion guarantees and underwriting
Payment Bonds
Subcontractor and supplier payment protection
Educational Bonding Guides
California Contractor Bonds FAQ
How much does a California contractor license bond cost?
The CSLB requires a $25,000 license bond. Your premium (what you actually pay) is typically 1-5% of the bond amount annually: $250-$1,250/year. Contractors with credit scores above 700 usually qualify for rates under 2%. Challenged credit (below 600) may push rates to 5-10%. Some surety programs offer instant approval with rates as low as $100/year for well-qualified applicants.
What's the difference between a bond and insurance?
This is the most misunderstood distinction in construction. Insurance: the carrier pays the claim and absorbs the loss. You pay premiums and the insurer takes the financial hit. Bonds: the surety pays the claim to the project owner, then you must repay the surety in full. A bond is essentially a line of credit backed by your personal and business finances. This is why sureties underwrite your credit and financials so carefully.
How do I increase my bonding capacity?
Bonding capacity depends on your financial statements (liquidity, net worth, working capital), credit history, experience completing similar projects, and your track record with the surety. To increase capacity: strengthen your balance sheet, maintain clean credit, complete bonded projects successfully, build a relationship with your surety, and work with a broker who specializes in construction bonding. We've helped contractors grow from $500K to $10M+ capacity.
Can I get bonded with bad credit?
Yes, though rates will be higher. Several surety programs specialize in contractors with challenged credit. Expect to pay 5-10% of the bond amount rather than 1-3%. You may also need to post collateral for larger bonds. As your credit improves and you complete bonded work successfully, rates decrease. We work with sureties who evaluate the whole picture — not just credit scores.
Do I need the qualifier bond in addition to the license bond?
If your qualifying individual (the person whose experience and exam qualifies the license) owns less than 10% of the company, yes — CSLB requires an additional $12,500 Qualifier Bond per B&P Code §7071.9. This applies when a contractor 'borrows' someone's license to qualify. If the qualifier owns a majority interest, this bond is not required.
Get Bonded for California Construction Projects
From CSLB license bonds to multi-million dollar performance bonds. Same-day approvals available. Competitive rates for all credit levels from construction-focused sureties.