Construction projects can be risky, so contractors need different surety bonds to protect themselves from financial losses. One of these bonds is a bid bond, while another is a performance and payment bond.

Bid bonds help project owners weed out unqualified contractors and ensure the contractor submitting the lowest bid will win the contract. They also compensate if the winner fails to perform as outlined in their agreement.

What Does a Bid Bond Cost?

A bid bond is an example of a construction bond needed by project owners. It ensures that a contractor will enter the contract if awarded it.

Bid bonds are generally issued by a surety company. They conduct extensive financial and background checks on contractors before issuing these bonds.

These assessments include a contractor’s personal credit score and industry experience. They are typically used to guarantee that a contractor will provide all the necessary items to enter into a contract.

Owners often ask for bid bonds because they want to avoid the cost of a re-tender should a contractor back out of a contract. If the contractor doesn’t complete the project, the owner may file a claim against the bond to recover the difference between the first and second-lowest bid. A bid bond typically costs between 0.5 and 2 percent of the total project cost, depending on the contractor’s credit rating and underwriting requirements. Larger projects may require more in-depth underwriting than smaller ones.

Bid bonds are required by some contractors on government-funded and private projects to help ensure the project owner’s satisfaction with the contractor’s work. They also help prevent contractors from bidding frivolously. For small and beginning contractors, take a look at the fastbond program. It permits quick processing of the bond with minimal underwriting data.

Bid bonds guarantee that the contractor will complete the project as agreed upon and at the bid price if awarded. They are often issued without premium costs, which makes them affordable for most small contractors.

What is a Performance Bond?

A certain kind of surety bond called a performance bond guards the owner of a construction project against financial losses brought on by contractor default. This bond typically covers a percentage of the project’s total cost and is paid to a surety before the work begins.

A surety company will review a performance bond applicant’s capacity (ability to perform the contract), character (credit, reputation) and capital (financials, cash, working capital). The more comfortable they are with a contractor’s business, owners and the applicant’s financial strength, the lower the rate can be.

If a contractor defaults, a surety has many options to resolve the claim. Some sureties may choose to provide financial assistance to the original contractor or even take over the project and tender it out to a new contractor with the consent of the bond’s obligee.

What exactly are Payment Bonds?

A certain kind of surety bond is a payment bond that ensures material suppliers and subcontractors are compensated for their work on construction projects. This is typically required on federal and state government contracts and many private ones.

Like a mechanics lien, this bond guarantees that all parties involved in a construction project are paid. This can be particularly important on jobs on public property where mechanics’ liens cannot be used.

To qualify for a payment bond, you must prove that your business can handle the project and that you have a solid track record of paying on time. You may also be asked to provide personal and business financial records and documentation about your industry experience.

What Does a Performance Bond Cost?

Numerous factors affect how much a performance bond will cost. The background and qualifications of the contractor as well as their credit score and financial history, play a significant role in determining the rate.

This bond is typically required of contractors by cities who want to guarantee that their construction projects will be completed to the client’s satisfaction. It also protects governmental agencies, private owners and banks from liens on construction projects.

The premium for a performance bond is usually between 0.5% and 1.5% of the awarded contract price, including HST. The duration of the contract will also affect the premium.