Performance Bonds
A performance bond ensures that a contractor, after being awarded a project, will complete the project per the project contract.
Why do contractors need performance bonds?
A performance bond secures and guarantees financial compensation for the project owner in the event that the contractor fails to perform their obligations. If this occurs, the project owner can file a claim against the bond to receive compensation.
If the claim is awarded on behalf of the project owner, the surety will compensate the owner for the contractor's failure to perform.
It is important to note that a contractor is liable to pay back the full claim amount plus any additional expenses incurred to the surety.
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How much does a performance bond cost?
While exact costs will differ from contract to contract, a performance bond typically can cost between 1% to 5% of the contractual amount. Other factors, however, can influence the overall cost of the bond such as the principal's overall credit rating and financial strength which may result in a lower bond rate.
In cases where the project and contract are quite large, the use of a “blended rate” to calculate the overall cost of the performance bond could occur.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About Performance Bonds
How long does a performance bond last?
Typically, the term limit for claiming a performance bond is determined within the bond contract itself. That said, most performance bonds have a duration of twelve months but can (usually) be extended or renewed.
Who is the obligee on a performance bond?
An obligee is the party that receives financial compensation when a valid claim is filed against a bond. In the case of a performance bond, the obligee would be project owner.
What is the difference between a performance bond and a bid bond?
Performance bonds and bid bonds differ in two key ways:
Cost: Bid bonds are generally issued by a surety company to contractors at no cost, while a Performance bond is paid by the contractor.
Protections: Both performance and bid bonds are claimed by the project contractor. However, they provide different financial protections. As outlined above, performance bonds protect the project owner in case that a contractor fails to perform the job. On the other hand, a bid bond protects the contractor from changing terms and conditions.
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Performance Bond Resources
People who work in a variety of industries—including immigration consultants, tax preparers, contractor services, and many others—need to get bonded. But not all bonds are created equal. This guide covers the most important things you need to know about getting the right surety bond to meet your business needs and what that bond really means.
Learn MoreWhen performing a contract, most commonly in public works projects, the project owner may request that the general or subcontractor post and maintain a performance and payment bond to guarantee the performance of work under the contract and payment to all labor and vendors. If working on bonded projects is something you’re interested in, you may want to consider getting pre-approved for a construction bond line.
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