Florida Contractor License Bond
What is a Florida contractor license bond?
In Florida, individuals and businesses acting as construction contractors with a credit score of 660 or lower must post a license bond. This ensures that the public receives fair compensation for any damages or failed compliance with local and state laws. The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board – the obligee for a Florida contractor license bond – processes licensing requests and renewals.
The bond amount is generally $10,000 for Division 2 Contractors and $20,000 for Division 1 Contractors. However, the licensing board of Florida allows contractors to decrease their bond amount by completing a 14-hour Financial Responsibility Course.
- Division 2 Contractors who complete the course will only be required to obtain a $5000 surety bond.
- Any Division 1 Contractors who complete this course will only need a $10,000 surety bond.
Learn more about how contractor license bonds work in our complete guide.
Get Your Florida Contractor License Bond:
How much does a Florida contractor license bond cost?
The amount a Florida contractor must pay to obtain a license bond is the premium. The premium is typically 1.8%-8% of the bond amount, depending primarily on the applicant’s credit score. Personal and business finances and industry experience may also be considered.
For instance, a contractor needing to obtain a $10,000 license bond may pay around $180 (1.8%) with a credit score of 650-659 and up to $800 (8%) with a credit score of 500 or lower.
Who needs a contractor license bond in Florida?
If you want to become a licensed contractor in any of the following municipalities in the State of Florida, you’ll need to obtain a surety bond first. Click on your city, town, or county below to learn your specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do contractors in Florida apply for a license, and when is the renewal period?
There are several steps to Florida’s contractor license process. Contractors should refer to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Application Center for a complete run-through of this process. All Florida certified and registered construction contractor licenses expire on August 31st of even-numbered years (2022, 2024, and so on).
How does Florida define “contractor”?
Paraphrasing Florida Statue 489.105, a contractor is an individual qualified to perform a job and bids for or offers to perform a construction-related job as an independent business.
Get Your Contractor License Bond in Florida
ZipBonds offers the fastest and most secure option for getting bonded. Our all-digital platform is intuitive and straightforward. Apply online, email support@zipbonds.com or call 888.435.4191 to speak with an agent directly.
About ZipBonds.com
Founders Ryan Swalve and Zach Mefferd formed the vision for ZipBonds.com when they realized how overly complicated it was to help clients place surety. The frustration of being unable to incorporate the technology they’d used in other insurance-focused projects left them thinking “there has to be a better way.”
Fast forward a couple of years, and that better way is the impetus of everything we do at ZipBonds. We constantly look for innovative ways to improve the bonding process for our clients and agents. Our team comprises individuals who understand all angles of surety – for companies, agencies, and individuals. Incorporating everyone’s point of view to improve the process while simultaneously integrating cutting-edge technology is what sets our business apart.