CALIFORNIA
SURETY BONDS.
BUILT SOLID.
Contractor license bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, and more. CSLB-compliant. Fast issuance. From the broker contractors trust across California.
Bond Types
Every bond California
contractors & businesses need
From CSLB license bonds to multi-million-dollar performance bonds — we place them all.
Contractor License Bond
Required by California's CSLB for all licensed contractors. The $25,000 bond protects consumers from contractor fraud or failure to comply with California law. Required to obtain and maintain your contractor license.
Performance Bond
Guarantees a contractor will complete a project per contract terms and specifications. If the contractor defaults or abandons the project, the surety steps in to ensure project completion. Required on most public construction projects.
Payment Bond
Guarantees the contractor will pay all subcontractors, material suppliers, and laborers. Protects the payment chain below the general contractor. Required alongside performance bonds on public projects under the Miller Act and California law.
Bid Bond
Guarantees that a bidder will enter into a contract and provide performance/payment bonds if they win a bid. Protects project owners from contractors who win then refuse to proceed. Required on most public bids in California.
Contractor Qualifying Bond
Required for the Responsible Managing Employee (RME) or Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) of a California-licensed contractor company. Separate from the standard contractor license bond.
Court & Miscellaneous Bonds
Probate bonds, guardian bonds, appeal bonds, injunction bonds, and other court-ordered bonds. Also notary bonds, DMV bonds, mortgage broker bonds, and other license or permit bonds required by California agencies.
THE THREE-PARTY BOND STRUCTURE
A surety bond is not insurance — it's a three-party guarantee. Understanding the difference matters.
Obligation
Issued
Bond = Guarantee
Protects the obligee (client/agency) against your failure to perform. The surety company is vouching for YOU.
Insurance = Protection for You
Protects you from losses. The insurer pays covered claims and does not seek reimbursement from you.
CSLB Requirements
CALIFORNIA CONTRACTOR
LICENSE BOND SPECS
Every licensed California contractor must carry a $25,000 contractor license bond filed with the CSLB. Here's everything you need to know.
Step by Step
HOW TO GET YOUR
CSLB CONTRACTOR BOND
Apply With Bollinsure
Provide your contractor license number, business name, and basic personal information. Takes 5 minutes online or by phone.
Credit Check & Approval
Surety companies run a soft credit check. Most contractors qualify same day. Poor credit may require a larger deposit or higher rate.
Bond Issued
Your bond document is issued electronically. Many carriers can issue same day or within 24 hours. The bond is filed directly with the CSLB on your behalf.
CSLB Filing Confirmed
CSLB updates your license record to show an active bond. Your license remains in good standing. Renewal reminders sent before expiration.
Annual Renewal
Bond renews annually or biannually. Bollinsure tracks your renewal date and sends reminders to ensure your license never lapses due to a lapsed bond.
Bond Explorer
EXPLORE EACH BOND TYPE — IN DETAIL
Select a bond type for full details on requirements, rates, and what's covered.
Serving All of California
SURETY BONDS FOR
EVERY CALIFORNIA CONTRACTOR
We issue CSLB contractor bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds for contractors throughout California — fast.
FAQ
SURETY BONDS EXPLAINED
A surety bond is a three-party agreement between the principal (contractor), the obligee (government agency or project owner), and the surety company. The surety guarantees the principal will fulfill their obligations. Unlike insurance, if the surety pays a claim, they have the right to seek full reimbursement from the principal. Bonds are credit instruments — the surety is vouching for your ability to perform.
Yes. California's CSLB requires all licensed contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor license bond at all times (Business & Professions Code § 7071.6). The bond protects consumers and employees who suffer damages from a contractor's unlicensed or fraudulent work. A lapsed bond results in automatic license suspension.
The CSLB contractor license bond is $25,000 in face value. Most contractors with good credit pay $100–$250/year in premium — a small fraction of the bond's face value. Contractors with poor credit may pay $250–$750/year or need to post collateral. The annual premium is the only out-of-pocket cost — the $25,000 bond amount is not paid upfront.
A performance bond guarantees project completion if the contractor defaults. A payment bond guarantees that all subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers are paid. They serve different purposes and protect different parties. On most public California projects, both are required together. They're typically written as a combined package.
No — they're fundamentally different. Insurance protects the insured (you) from losses, and the insurer pays claims without expecting reimbursement. A surety bond protects the obligee (your client or the government) and if the surety pays a claim, they seek full reimbursement from you. Bonds and insurance both serve the contractor — they cover completely different risks.
CSLB contractor license bonds can often be issued same day or next business day for most contractors. The application is simple — license number, business name, personal information, and a soft credit check. Performance and payment bonds for large projects require more underwriting and typically take 3-10 business days depending on project size and contractor financials.
If the surety pays a claim, they have the legal right to seek full reimbursement from you — the principal. This is different from insurance, where claims don't generally create reimbursement obligations. This is why bond underwriting looks heavily at your creditworthiness and financial stability. Maintaining your bond in good standing requires performing your obligations and resolving any disputes before they become claims.
READY TO GET
BONDED?
Whether you need a CSLB contractor bond today or performance/payment bonds for a major project — we get it done fast, at the best available rate.