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Ohio doesn’t have a statewide requirement for contractor license bonds, so the price varies from one location to the next. Typically, the cost is between $100 and $1,000, depending on the city or county. Your credit score can also impact the premium.
For example, with our Ohio surety bonds, we offer the best rates for contractors with a credit score over 700. While you can get bonded with a lower credit score, the price increases accordingly. So, we recommend boosting your credit score to minimize your premium.
Here’s an example of what our prices look like for a $10,000 bond, which you would need to be a Cincinnati street contractor.
|
Surety Bond Name |
Surety Bond Amount |
Over 700 |
Between 600 and 699 |
Below 599 |
|
Cincinnati Street Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
$100 to $300 |
$300 to $500 |
$500 to $1,000 |
It’s also important to note that the cost of the bond doesn’t necessarily reflect the amount it covers. For example, in the city of Broadview Heights, the bond requirement is $25,000, but you can still pay $250 annually with a good credit score.
Other cities, such as the city of Canton, have much higher bond amounts and costs. In Canton, contractors must post a bond of $50,000, and the minimum rate is $500, regardless of your credit score.
Overall, knowing and preparing for these costs can make getting your business up and running that much easier.
How to Get a Contractor License Bond in Ohio
Lance Surety Bonds makes it easy to secure the bond you need. In Ohio, because each city and county has its own requirements, you must get a separate bond for each one. Even if multiple cities have similar requirements, each one acts as a unique obligee for the bond.
Step 1: Determine the Surety Bond You Need
You can contact cities and counties directly to find out which bond you’ll need to work as a contractor. For example, Cleveland lists its requirements online, and you can download the registration form directly from the city.
Step 2: Apply for Your Bond
You can apply for your surety bond with us, and we’ll just need some information about you and your business. Although you may need multiple bonds for different cities, you can use the same application form each time.
A contractor in Canton, Ohio, recently sought our help in obtaining their Contractor License Bond. Despite his expertise in the field, he encountered difficulties with the bonding process. We provided comprehensive, step-by-step assistance to help him fulfill the requirements established by Canton’s licensing authorities. This enabled him to start his business with confidence and build a solid reputation as a trusted contractor in the local area.
Step 3: Get a Bond Quote
Typically, we can provide you with a quote immediately. However, in some cases, it may take up to 24 hours to process your application. Either way, we make sure to give you the best premium rate possible.
Step 4: Buy Your Bond
Once you pay the bond premium, you’re officially bonded in Ohio. Most bonds last up to 12 months, but some bonds may be valid for different periods. If you have any questions about your bond, you can contact us at any time.
Read to apply for your contractor bond? Start with a free quote!
Contractor License Bond Requirements in Ohio
Each state and county has its own bond requirements, and some cities even require different bonds for various types of work. For example, in the city of Massillon, contractors have to get separate bonds for electrical, demolition, plumbing, heating, and home improvement.
So, if you’re planning on doing multiple types of contract work within a city, make sure you abide by all the different bond requirements. In the table below, you can find all the contractor license bond requirements in Ohio.
|
Surety Bond |
Bond Amount |
Premium |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Bexley Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$10,000 - $50,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$500 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Delaware Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of East Cleveland Contractor Bond |
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Gahanna Home Improvement Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of Gahanna Water Sewer Installer Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
City of Girard Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
City of Kettering Excavation Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
City of Lima Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
City of Lyndhurst Contractor Bond |
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
$10,000 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
City of Marietta Water Contractor Bond |
$10,000 - $20,000 |
From $100 |
|
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$1,000 - $7,500 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 - $70,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
City of Middletown Plumbing and/or Underground Utilities Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$1,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$3,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$3,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 - $10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$6,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
$2,500 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of St. Marys Plumbing or Electrical Contractor Bond |
$2,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Strongsville Fire Alarm/Fire Suppression Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$3,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Troy Maintenance Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
City of Waterville Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
City of Wellington Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Clark County Combined Health District Plumber & Sewer Tapper Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Clermont County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
County of Butler Sewer and Plumbing Bond |
$15,000 - $25,000 |
From $150 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Cuyahoga County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
Cuyahoga County Sewer Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Department of Health Private Water Systems Contractor Bond |
$10,000 - $20,000 |
From $100 |
|
Erie County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Franklin County Performance and Completion Bond |
$1,000 - $100,000 |
From $100 |
|
Franklin County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Hamilton County Plumbing Installation and Repair Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Hamilton County Sidewalk Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Hocking County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
Huron County Sewage System Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Jefferson County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Mahoning County Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Marion County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Multiple Sewage Treatment Systems Installer Bond |
$40,000 |
From $400 |
|
Perry County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
$15,000 |
From $150 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Southwest Licking Community Water & Sewer District Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
Springfield Township License and Permit Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
Stark County Drain Layers Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Union County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$30,000 |
From $300 |
|
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$25,000 |
From $250 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$20,000 |
From $200 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$1,000 - $25,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Village of Oakwood Contractor Bond |
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Village of Urbancrest Contractor Bond |
$2,000 - $20,000 |
From $100 |
|
$10,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
$5,000 |
From $100 |
|
|
Wayne County Plumbing Contractor Bond |
$5,000 |
From $100 |
Start your contractor license bond application. 100! money-back guarantee!
How to Get Your Ohio Contractor License
Although obtaining a contractor license bond is an essential part of becoming a contractor, it’s not the only step. Here are the basic steps required to get a contractor license in Ohio.
- Step 1: Determine Your Specialty - Ohio requires contractors to get licenses for different types of work. For example, if you’re going to be an HVAC contractor, you need a unique license from an electrician.
- Step 2: Check the License Requirements - Each license has its own set of rules. For example, general home improvement licenses may be issued by the city, while other licenses are issued by the state. Generally, you must provide citizenship status, complete a trade exam, and register your business with the state.
- Step 3: Provide Proof of Experience - Ohio requires contractors to have at least three years of general or specialized contractor (i.e., demolition) experience before you can apply for a license.
- Step 4: Get Bonded - You’ll need a surety bond before you can obtain your license, so make sure you know where you want to work and which bond you’ll have to get.
- Step 5: Obtain Business Insurance - Most Ohio cities require contractors to carry liability insurance before they become accredited. For example, Cincinnati requires at least $100,000 of protection and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Step 6: Apply - Before submitting your application, Make sure you have all the necessary documents. If you’re missing anything, you may have to start the whole process again and pay another application fee of between $25 and $100.
Because this process is relatively time-consuming and complex, we recommend reading our complete guide to getting your Ohio contractor license.
You can also communicate with the state itself via the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB). You can find more details on the OCILB website or contact them directly at 614-644-3493 or via email at [email protected].
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What Our Clients Have To Say?
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!
