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How Much Does a New York Contractor License Bond Cost?
In New York, contractor licensing is not mandated at the state level. Instead, each city and county within the state sets its own requirements for contractor licenses and surety bonds. The cost of New York contractor license bonds can be as low as $100, depending on the municipality. For instance, in New York City, a Home Improvement Contractor License Bond requires a $20,000 bond. In Putnam County, contractors must obtain a $25,000 bond.
While the bond amount can be high, the premium you’ll pay is much lower. Factors like your credit score affect the price of the bond premium. Those with a good score can expect to pay between 1% to 3% of the total bond amount. Here’s a table showing some bond requirements in New York and how the premium changes based on your credit score:
|
Surety Bond Cost Based on Credit Score |
||||
|
Surety Bond Name |
Surety Bond Amount |
Over 700 |
Between 600 - 699 |
Below 599 |
|
New York City Home Improvement Contractor License Bond |
$20,000 |
$200 - $600 |
$600 - $1,000 |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
|
Putnam County Contractor License Bond |
$25,000 |
$250 - $750 |
$750 - $1,250 |
$1,250 - $2,500 |
|
Westchester County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
$100 - $150 |
$150 - $250 |
$250 - $500 |
|
Village of Hempstead Sewer Contractor Bond |
$2,000 |
$100 |
$100 |
$100 - $200 |
How to Get a New York Contractor License Bond
1. Determine Which Surety Bond You Need
In New York, there's no state-level contractor licensing requirement. Instead, check with your local authority for details on local licensing and bond requirements. Additionally, consulting with a reputable surety bond provider or legal expert can help ensure you obtain the appropriate bond for your needs.
2. Apply Online For Your Bond
Because there are different bond requirements within New York state, you’ll have to apply for each bond individually.
Start the bonding process by completing our online form with some basic information about you and your business. We'll guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.
We recently helped a contractor in New York City. He was struggling with the licensing process, but we made it easy for him to get bonded so he could move on to the next step.
3. Get a Premium Quote
At Lance Surety Bonds, you can be confident you’re getting the best quote possible. We typically provide a quote promptly, but for more complex cases, it may take up to 24 to 48 hours to process.
4. Pay the Bond Premium
We’ll send you the bond digitally via email once you pay your premium. If requested, we can also mail a hard copy.
If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, our surety bonds experts are here to help you – contact us or call us at (877) 514-5146.
Ready to apply for your contractor bond? Start with a free quote!
Contractor License Bond Requirements in New York
In New York, contractor license bonds are required by local municipalities rather than the state. Each municipality enforces specific bond amounts tailored to their jurisdiction and trade.
For example, New York City requires a $20,000 surety bond (or enrollment in the DCWP Trust Fund) for home improvement contractors, while Westchester County mandates a $10,000 surety bond for plumbing contractors.
Here’s a rundown of the different bond requirements in municipalities of New York State:
|
Surety Bond |
Bond Amount |
Premium |
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$1,000 - $20,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Schenectady County Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
Westchester County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of Buffalo Heating Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Town of Binghamton Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
Town of Clarkstown Sewer Contractor Excavation Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Town of Hempstead Sewer Contractor Bond |
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
Town of Hempstead Sewer & Drain Opening Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
Town of Huntington Grading Permit Bond (Up to 5,000 cubic yards) |
$20,000 - $50,000 |
From $200 |
|
City of Kingston Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of Newburgh Blasting Contractor Bond |
$50,000 |
From $500 |
|
Town of Newburgh Building Permit Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Village of Roslyn Contractor Bond |
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
Village of Sleepy Hollow Contractor Bond |
$1,000 |
From $100 |
|
New York City Single Location Street Obstruction Permit Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Suffolk County License and Permit Bond |
$1,000 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
Suffolk County Water Authority Performance/Labor/Material Payment Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
From $100 |
|
Town of Babylon License and Permit Bond |
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of Amsterdam Electrician License Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
New York City Street Obstruction Permit Bond (51-100 Locations) |
$100,000 |
From $1,000 |
|
Rockland County Stream Control Act Permit Bond |
$1,000 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
Rockland County Stream Control Act Permit Bond |
$25,001 - $100,000 |
From $250 |
|
Suffolk County Highway Permit Bond |
$1,000 - $50,000 |
From $100 |
|
$1,000 - $100,000 |
From $100 |
How to Get Your New York Contractor License
While the steps and documentation on how to get a contractor license in New York vary for each municipality, the first thing you must do is determine what kind of contractor license you need and the organization in charge of approving it. In New York City, the Department of Buildings oversees general contractor licenses. When applying for a new home improvement contractor license in New York City you may need to provide:
- Basic License Application.
- Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number.
- Proof of Business Address.
- Proof of Home Address.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Information.
- Proof of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification relating to safe lead practices AND/OR Signed Affirmation.
- Copy of $20,000 Surety Bond OR a DCWP Trust Fund Enrollment ($200 fee), properly signed.
- Contractual Compliance Agreement.
- Home Improvement Exam and $50 Exam Fee.
- Fingerprints and Processing Fee.
- Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable).
- License Fee.
Documentation should be submitted to the appropriate licensing authority.
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Quick response times and turn around for issuing bonds. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. We have used Lance Surety multiple times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend them and Collette!
Long story short, these guys cut through the B.S. and get the job done. Responsiveness, excellent! Communication, excellent! Respect for their industry partners, excellent! John, Collette, Ryan, you're all-stars! Thank you!
We decided for Lance Surety Bond's quote for 2 reasons; Price and Customer Service. Our Representative Ryan was just SUPERB!! [...] I highly recommend Lance Surety Bond for all your Bonding needs! I'll definitely come back for all of mine. :-) Thanks Ryan!
Quick response times and turn around for issuing bonds. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. We have used Lance Surety multiple times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend them and Collette!
Long story short, these guys cut through the B.S. and get the job done. Responsiveness, excellent! Communication, excellent! Respect for their industry partners, excellent! John, Collette, Ryan, you're all-stars! Thank you!
We decided for Lance Surety Bond's quote for 2 reasons; Price and Customer Service. Our Representative Ryan was just SUPERB!! [...] I highly recommend Lance Surety Bond for all your Bonding needs! I'll definitely come back for all of mine. :-) Thanks Ryan!
