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Performance Bonds: Secure Major Contracts Worth $100K-$50M+

Unlock access to the most profitable construction projects. Bond Genius AI provides performance bonds for qualified contractors with 1-day decisions and A- rated carriers or better. Projects from $100K to $50M+ with rates starting at 0.5%.

1-DAY DECISIONS • A- RATED CARRIERS OR BETTER

Construction guarantees in 24 hours • Rates from 0.5% • Projects to $50M+

✓ Miller Act compliant ✓ A- rated carriers or better ✓ All 50 states ✓ 1-day decisions

Last Updated: January 19, 2025

1 DAY
Decision Time
0.5%-2.5%
Bond Rates
$50M+
Max Project Size
98%
Approval Rate

Why Construction Guarantees Are Critical for Your Business

Industry research shows the competitive advantage of bonded contractors

"Bonded projects cost less than unbonded projects. Unbonded projects face a significantly higher cost of completion upon default - 85% higher."
- Ernst & Young QUEST Report, "The Economic Value of Surety Bonds" (2022)
"5 times as many public and private owners reported bonded projects are more likely to be completed on time or ahead of schedule than non-bonded projects."
- EY/SFAA Study on Construction Project Performance
"96% of respondents reported that pre-qualification was performed for bonded projects as compared to 61% for non-bonded"
- EY/SFAA Construction Performance Study

Contract Surety Requirements: What You Need to Know

Construction guarantees require comprehensive underwriting due to contract values and completion guarantees

Federal Projects (Miller Act)
  • All federal construction contracts over $150,000
  • Contract surety: 100% of contract value
  • Treasury listed surety companies only
  • Requirements detailed in FAR Part 28
  • Bond Genius AI works exclusively with Treasury-approved carriers
State & Local Requirements
  • Varies by state (typically $25,000 - $100,000 threshold)
  • Schools, highways, municipal projects
  • "Little Miller Acts" mirror federal requirements
  • State-approved surety companies required
Private Projects
  • Increasingly required for large commercial projects
  • Protects owner investment from contractor default
  • Demonstrates contractor financial strength
  • Required for design-build and P3 projects

What is a Performance Bond?

Understanding performance bonds is essential for contractors bidding on major projects

Learn the fundamentals of performance bonds

This video explains what performance bonds are, why they're required, and how they protect both contractors and project owners in construction projects.

Get Your Performance Bond Quote

How Bond Genius AI Construction Guarantees Work

From application to bond approval - all powered by advanced AI

Step 1: Submit Comprehensive Application

Bond Genius AI analyzes your project details, financial capacity, and experience. Upload required documents including financial statements and project specifications.

Timeline: 15 minutes to complete

Step 2: AI-Powered Underwriting Review

Our advanced algorithms trained on millions of bond applications review your submission alongside experienced underwriters for complex projects.

Timeline: Within 1 business day

Step 3: Approval & Bond Issuance

Once approved, complete e-signature and payment for immediate bond delivery. We can file with obligees if required.

Timeline: 5 minutes after approval

Project Completion Bond Rates by Contract Size

Market Analysis Updated: January 2025 - Bond rates decrease with project size and contractor strength

Public Works Performance Bond
High Volume
Starting 1.5%
Required for government construction projects and public works
Bond Amount:100% of contract value
Minimum Project:$100,000
Starting Rate:1.5%

Common Project Types:

Roads & Highways
Schools & Hospitals
+2
Private Contract Performance Bond
High Volume
Starting 1.0%
Requested by private owners for large construction projects
Bond Amount:50% - 100% of contract value
Minimum Project:$500,000
Starting Rate:1.0%

Common Project Types:

Commercial Buildings
Industrial Projects
+2
Federal Performance Bond
Moderate
Starting 2.0%
Required by federal agencies for all construction contracts over $150,000
Bond Amount:100% of contract value
Minimum Project:$150,000
Starting Rate:2.0%

Common Project Types:

Military Construction
Federal Buildings
+2
Design-Build Performance Bond
Growing
Starting 2.5%
For contractors handling both design and construction phases
Bond Amount:100% of contract value
Minimum Project:$1,000,000
Starting Rate:2.5%

Common Project Types:

Design-Build Projects
Turnkey Construction
+2

Performance Bond Rates by Project Size

Bond rates and requirements vary based on contract value and complexity

$100K - $1M
1.5% - 3.0%
Small to medium projects

Typical Projects:

Municipal work, small commercial

Requirements:

Basic financial statements, 3 years experience

$1M - $10M
1.0% - 2.5%
Large construction projects

Typical Projects:

Major commercial, infrastructure

Requirements:

Audited financials, 5+ years experience, strong work-in-progress

$10M - $50M
0.75% - 2.0%
Major construction contracts

Typical Projects:

Large infrastructure, major developments

Requirements:

CPA-prepared statements, 10+ years experience, significant bonding capacity

$50M+
0.5% - 1.5%
Mega construction projects

Typical Projects:

Highways, airports, major facilities

Requirements:

Audited financials, extensive experience, prequalification process

Performance Bond Benefits

Protecting owners, contractors, and project stakeholders

For Project Owners:

  • Guarantees project completion if contractor defaults
  • Protects against financial loss from contractor failure
  • Ensures work meets contract specifications
  • Provides recourse through surety company

For Contractors:

  • Demonstrates financial strength and reliability
  • Enables bidding on larger, more profitable projects
  • Required for public works and many private projects
  • Builds credibility with project owners and partners
Prequalification Requirements

Performance bonds require extensive underwriting due to the higher risk and contract values involved. Contractors must demonstrate financial capacity and construction experience.

  • Three years of audited or CPA-prepared financial statements
  • Detailed work-in-progress schedule showing current projects
  • Bank references and lines of credit information
  • Resume of key personnel and project experience
  • Equipment list and ownership documentation
  • Current projects list with contract values and completion dates
Bonding Capacity Factors

Your bonding capacity determines the maximum contract size you can secure. Surety companies evaluate multiple factors to determine capacity limits.

Working Capital:Primary factor (10-15x capacity)
Experience:Track record of similar projects
Management:Key personnel experience
Equipment:Owned equipment value

Related Construction Bonds

Performance bonds are often required alongside other construction bonds

Payment Bonds

Guarantees payment to subcontractors and suppliers

Often paired with performance50-100% of contract
Learn More

Bid Bonds

Required when submitting bids for construction projects

5-10% of bid amountCompetitive bidding
Learn More

Contractor Bonds

Required for contractor licensing in most states

$5,000 - $100,000All 50 states
Learn More

Ready to Secure Your Next Major Project?

Construction guarantees unlock access to larger, more profitable contracts

The average bonded contractor wins 3x more contract value than unbonded competitors. With Bond Genius AI, you'll get fast approvals and competitive rates from A- rated sureties.

Construction bonding capacity fills up during peak building season. Apply now to secure your bonding capacity for upcoming projects.
Miller Act
Compliant
A- Rated
Sureties Only
1 Business Day
Decisions
Licensed
All 50 States