Surety bonds for construction, explained
Construction bonds
made clear.
Performance, payment, bid, maintenance, license and permit, and subcontractor bonds — understand what each one requires, how underwriting works, and connect with a licensed surety agent who can bond your project.
I’m looking for a surety agent
I need a bond for my project
Answer a few quick questions — what you need, what’s in the way, how you like to meet. We match you with surety agents who fit.
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I'm a surety agent or broker
A verified profile, contractors matched to your specialties, programs and events, and your own back office and CRM.
Get exclusive bond referralsHow matching works
Start with what you need — we’ll find the surety agent.
01
Tell us what you need
What you’re looking for, what’s in the way, and how you like to meet — phone, video call and online application.
02
We match on fit
Specialties, the people they work with, credentials and format.
03
You choose who to hear from
See why each surety agent fits. Pick who may contact you — nothing is shared without your say-so.
2 areas of focus
Contract surety bonds and Specialty & program bonding.
Contract surety bonds
Performance bonds, Payment bonds, Bid bonds, Maintenance & warranty bonds and Subcontractor bonds.
5 kinds →
Specialty & program bonding
License & permit bonds, Public works & Miller Act bonding, New & growing contractor bonding and SBA & small-business bonding assistance.
4 kinds →
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Where do you want to start?
Performance bonds
What a performance bond guarantees, how it works and who needs one.
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Payment bonds
How payment bonds protect subcontractors and suppliers on a project.
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Bid bonds
What a bid bond is, how much is typically required and what happens if a bidder walks away.
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Maintenance & warranty bonds
Bonds that cover defects and workmanship after a project is finished.
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License & permit bonds
Bonds required to get or keep a contractor license, or to pull certain permits.
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Miller Act & public works bonding
Federal, state and local bonding laws on government construction contracts.
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Surety underwriting & bond capacity
How sureties evaluate contractors and how bonding capacity is built over time.
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SBA & small-business bonding assistance
Programs that help new, small and disadvantaged contractors qualify for bonding.
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Who we help
Wherever you’re starting from.
General contractors
performance and payment bonds to win and complete bonded contracts
Subcontractors
sub-tier bonds required by a general contractor or project owner
Specialty trade contractors
the license and permit bonds required to operate legally in their state or city
Public works bidders
to meet Miller Act or Little Miller Act bonding requirements on government contracts
First-time & newly licensed contractors
to get bonded for the first time and understand what underwriters look for
Growing contractors
more bonding capacity to take on larger or more contracts at once
Small & minority-owned contractors
bonding assistance programs, including SBA-backed options, to qualify for bonding
Honest listings
Surety agents, clearly labeled.
- Credentials shown plainly. Licenses, certifications and trainings are listed as each surety agent provides them and checked where possible.
- You stay in control. Nothing you share goes to a surety agent until you choose who may contact you.
- Your details stay private. We don’t sell your information.
- No miracle promises. Surety agents may not promise guaranteed outcomes.
For surety agents
Your business, with a back office.
A verified profile, contractors matched to your specialties, programs and events, and a CRM to follow up.
Matched requests
People choose you — you have 48 hours to reach out.
Your own CRM
Every request, stage, note and follow-up in one place.
Programs & events
Sessions, group programs, workshops and courses.
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Licenses, certifications and trainings shown clearly.
Agent listing
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3 specialties · Be found in the directory
ZIP Exclusive
$1,500/mo
9 specialties · Every referral in your ZIP code — exclusively yours
State Exclusive
$4,500/mo
9 specialties · Every referral in your state — exclusively yours
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$32,500/mo
9 specialties · Every referral nationwide not held by a ZIP or state partner
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is this site a surety company?
No. Construction Performance Bond is an educational website and referral directory. We explain how construction surety bonds work and connect you with independent licensed surety agents and brokers. We don't issue bonds or give legal or financial advice about your project.
What's the difference between a performance bond and a payment bond?
A performance bond guarantees the project owner that the contractor will complete the work as agreed; a payment bond guarantees that subcontractors and suppliers get paid. Public projects often require both, sometimes combined in a single document.
What is a bid bond and when is it required?
A bid bond guarantees that a contractor who wins a public bid will sign the contract and provide the required performance and payment bonds. Owners typically require it with the bid submission, before the contract is awarded.
What is the Miller Act, and what is a Little Miller Act?
The Miller Act requires performance and payment bonds on most federal construction contracts above a set dollar threshold. Little Miller Acts are state and local laws that require similar bonds on state and municipal public projects; the details vary by state.
How do sureties decide whether to bond a contractor?
Underwriters typically look at the three Cs: character (track record and reputation), capacity (experience and ability to complete the work) and capital (financial strength). Bond capacity and terms vary by contractor and by surety.
Can a new or small contractor get bonded?
Often yes. Programs such as the SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program and state small-business bonding assistance exist specifically to help new, small or disadvantaged contractors qualify. A licensed surety agent can explain which options may apply.
How do surety agents receive referrals on this site?
Licensed surety agents and brokers can list for free, or reserve an exclusive territory — a ZIP code, a state, or the whole country — so contractors in that area who ask for help are connected to them.