South Carolina Contractor License Bonds
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What Is a South Carolina Contractor License Bond?
A South Carolina contractor license bond is a financial guarantee that a contractor will follow state and local licensing laws when working on jobs and complete contracts as promised.
Filing a surety bond is a requirement before you can receive or renew a South Carolina contractor license for various classifications:
- General contractor
- Residential contractor
- Mechanical contractor
- Well driller
- Septic tank installer
- Manufactured home contractor, repairer or installer
A few cities in South Carolina also enforce bond requirements to ensure compliance with local building codes and standards.
How Much Do South Carolina Contractor Bonds Cost?
South Carolina contractor bonds typically cost 1–10% of the total bond amount, starting at $100. Rates may vary based on your credit score, work history and business finances.
- South Carolina general contractor bond prices start at $200 per year.
- South Carolina mechanical contractor license bond prices start at $100–$4,000 depending on the license level.
- South Carolina residential builder bonds cost a flat premium of $100–$300 based on the license type.
- Most city-specific contractor license bonds cost a flat rate of $50–$100.
Bond coverage and pricing varies, so find your bond below to get an exact quote.
Don’t see the bond you need? Call 1 (800) 308-4358 for more information.
If you work outside of South Carolina, we also offer contractor license bonds nationwide.
Who Needs a South Carolina Contractor Bond?
You must purchase and file a contractor license bond with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation if you work as a general contractor, mechanical contractor, residential specialty contractor, or residential builder.
Septic tank installers, well drillers and manufactured housing contractors also need to file separate surety bonds before performing work in South Carolina.
If you work in one of the cities listed below, you must file an additional bond with the city to fulfill local licensing requirements:
- Bluffton requires local contractors to file a bond before opening or cutting any street or sidewalk
- Beaufort County requires a surety bond for landscape maintenance contractors
- Beaufort and Jasper Counties require a warranty maintenance bond for $5,000 or 10% of the total water/sewer construction cost, whichever is greater
- Columbia requires demolition contractors to file a $5,000 bond for 1 and 2-family residential structures or a $15,000 bond for multi-family or commercial structures.
- Dillon requires individuals licensed as a general, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical contractor to file a $5,000 bond.
- Forest Acres requires local contractors to file a $2,000 bond.
- North Augusta requires local contractors to file a $1,000 bond.
- Spartanburg requires a bond for public street opening and a separate encroachment bond for work on the public right-of-way.
- Surfside Beach requires licensed contractors to file a bond amount as determined by the Surfside Beach Planning, Building, and Zoning Department.
Other Construction Bonds in South Carolina
You may also need bid, payment and performance bonds for certain construction projects in South Carolina. These protect the public and project owners if you breach any contract terms.
How to Get a South Carolina Contractor Bond
You can purchase or apply for your South Carolina contractor bond online 24/7. Choose the contractor bond required for your license from the dropdown or table above. Information requirements depend on your licensing authority, but you’ll typically need to provide the following:
- Contractor or construction company name
- Physical business address
- License type
Once your order is processed, we’ll email your official bond or send it via mail if the obligee requires the original documentation.
How Fast Can I Get My Bond?
SuretyBonds.com delivers contractor surety bonds faster than any other company. We offer digital delivery for most South Carolina contractor license bonds. Orders placed by 4 PM CST Monday-Friday are typically processed same-day with digital bond delivery.
How Do South Carolina Contract Bonds Work?
South Carolina contractor bonds protect consumers who could be harmed by defective construction or other license noncompliance as well as any unpaid employees, subcontractors or suppliers.
If you break the bond terms, the surety company will pay valid claims to harmed parties up to the full bond amount, which you must then reimburse in full.
Who Regulates South Carolina Contractor Licensing?
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Contractors Licensing Board regulates licensing for general and mechanical contractors in the state. Some cities in South Carolina also enforce their own contractor license laws and bond requirements.
How to Become a General or Mechanical Contractor in South Carolina
Complete the following steps to apply for your general or mechanical South Carolina contractor license with the LLR Contractor's Licensing Board:
- Complete the General & Mechanical Contractor's License Initial Application (Document #165).
- Register your construction business with the Secretary of State (if applicable).
- Pass any exams as required in the LLR application instructions.
- Purchase your general contractor bond or mechanical contractor bond in the correct required amount.
- Pay all required license fees.
You can submit your state license application packet by emailing [email protected] or by mailing it to the address below.
South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329
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