Florida Contractor License Bonds

What will your Florida contractor license bond cost?

Florida contractor license bond costs start at $100 annually. Your exact cost will vary depending on the license type you need and its required bond amount. Most city and county contractor bonds cost $100 annually. Some cities and counties require their contractor bonds expire on the same day annually, so your personal premium will be based on when you purchase your bond.

How do you get a Florida contractor license bond?

You can purchase your Florida contractor bond online 24/7. Choose the licensed contractor bond required by your government agency from the dropdown above or the table below. Information requirements for your bond form depend on your licensing authority, but you typically need to provide your contractor or construction company name, physical business address, and license type for filing approval. Once your order is processed, your Florida contractor bond confirmation will be sent to your email. 

How fast can I get a construction contractor bond?

Our industry-leading technology and expert customer service team allow us to deliver your official Florida construction contractor bond faster than any other surety provider. SuretyBonds.com offers digital delivery for most Florida construction contractor bonds. Orders placed by 4 PM CST Monday-Friday are typically processed with same-day emailed bond delivery. If your licensing authority requires your official bond be physically issued and delivered to you, we'll ship it to your preferred mailing address.

What is a Florida contractor license bond?

“Florida contractor license bond” is a generic term for the many compliance bond requirements cities and counties across the state enforce for contractor licensing. Various local laws require individuals file a contractor bond before they can be licensed to work in certain cities or counties. Terms for each specific contractor license bond are set by the regulatory agency requiring it. These bonds generally require contractors work according to laws that regulate construction work completion, building code compliance, and subcontractor and/or tax payments. 

If a contractor or construction company fails to comply with state law according to the bond's terms, the bond protects the city, county, state, or individuals from financial loss up to the full bond amount. The issuing surety company will pay valid claims up to the full bond amount, which the contractor would be required to reimburse. 

What is the Florida construction license bond?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation previously required a separate Construction License Bond for licensed contractors with FICO credit scores below 660. The construction license bond requirement was officially repealed as of 4/13/22.

Who requires me to have a Florida contractor license bond?

Local city or county licensing departments enforce bond requirements for contractors working in the area they regulate. Your filed bond will protect individuals from financial loss if you fail to operate your business according to local compliance codes or other regulatory laws. 

Who needs a Florida contractor license bond? 

Florida surety bond requirements for contractor licensing vary depending on where you work and the type of construction performed. If you're a contractor in one of the cities or counties listed below, you must file a bond with the city or county to fulfill local compliance requirements. If you need a surety bond for a city or county not listed below, call 1 (800) 308-4358.

• Auburndale
• Baker County
• Cape Coral 
• Dundee
• Fort Meade 
• Gainesville
• Haines City
• Hillsborough County
• Jacksonville
• Kissimmee
• Lake Alfred
• Lake County
• Lakeland
• Lake Wales
• Lynn Haven
• Maitland
• Mulberry
• Nassau County
• Orange County
• Orlando
• Osceola County
• Palm Beach County
• Panama City
• Pasco County
• Polk County
• Putnam County
• Sanford
• Windermere
• Winter Haven
• Winter Park

What Florida contractor license surety bond amount do you need?

The licensing authority requiring you to file a bond for your certified contractor license will determine your required surety bond amount. If you need help determining the bond amount required, contact the licensing authority or government agency that told you to file a surety bond. 

Need a surety bond for a construction project in Florida?

Florida contractor licensing bonds are required for licensing compliance. If you need a surety bond before you can begin work on an individual contracted project, you might need a bid bond, payment bond, performance bond, or other type of contract bond. If you work in states other than Florida, we also offer contractor license bonds nationwide.

How do I update or change my construction bond form?

If the regulatory agency requiring you to obtain a Florida contractor license bond requires your surety bond documentation to be updated for any reason, contact your surety provider. If you purchased your Florida contractor bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change.

The most common changes requested for these bonds are updating the contractor or construction company name, physical business address, or license type.

Does a Florida contractor license bond renew every year?

Yes, you'll need to renew your Florida surety bond before its current term expires. You must maintain an active bond with your licensing authority as long as you're licensed to work in the area. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, renewal instructions will be emailed to you to keep your bond active for your next license term.

How do I get a contractor license in Florida?

Florida offers two kinds of contractor licenses.

1. Certified contractors can contract anywhere in Florida according to professional regulation state license requirements.
2. Registered contractors can only work in the cities or counties they've been licensed and registered with individually.

Note that if you have an out-of-state contractor license, Florida law does not allow for reciprocity. You must be licensed either as a certified contractor with the state or as a registered contractor according to local requirements.

Contractor licensing requirements vary depending on the city or county. Generally you'll be required to submit a contractor license application packet and construction bond before receiving your contractor license.

How can Florida construction contractors avoid bond claims? 

To avoid claims filed against your Florida surety bond, you must work and operate your business according to all applicable state and local laws. If a valid claim is filed against your bond, you'll be required to reimburse your issuing surety company for any damages paid.