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Last updated: General Louisiana performance bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.

Louisiana Performance BondLa. R.S. 38:2241

Bond threshold: $25,000.

Louisiana's $25,000 trigger is lower than the federal Miller Act's $150,000; state and local jobs are bonded at a smaller size than federal ones.

Prompt Submission
Pay Only When Issued
Quick answer
Louisiana's Little Miller Act (La. R.S. 38:2241) requires performance and payment bonds on covered public works contracts. The trigger: $25,000. Any cost here is an estimate; the surety sets the final price.
  • Who requires it: Louisiana public owners awarding covered public works contracts (La. R.S. 38:2241).
  • Amount: Payment bond: Not less than 50% of contract price (contracts over $25,000).
  • Typical cost (estimate): about $1,000-$2,000 on a $100,000 contract with excellent credit, up to $5,000-$10,000 below 620. The surety sets the final price.
  • Timing: We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes within one business day.
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Louisiana public works bonding at a glance

Bond threshold
$25,000
Controlling statute
La. R.S. 38:2241
Payment bond amount
Not less than 50% of contract price (contracts over $25,000)
Deadline to sue on the payment bond
Action on the bond must be brought against the surety or the contractor or both within one year from the registry (recordation) of acceptance of the work or of notice of default of the contractor (38:2247(A)). No earliest-time-to-sue rule stated in the sections read, other than the claim needing to have matured before the sworn statement is filed.
Federal jobs in Louisiana
Miller Act (40 U.S.C. § 3131): bonds on federal contracts over $150,000

Source: La. R.S. 38:2241 and the claim statutes cited below.

Getting paid: Louisiana payment bond claims

On Louisiana public work, La. R.S. 38:2241-2248 (Louisiana Public Works Act; esp. 38:2241, 38:2242, 38:2247) makes the payment bond, not a lien on public property, the security for unpaid labor and materials.

Lawsuit deadline

Action on the bond must be brought against the surety or the contractor or both within one year from the registry (recordation) of acceptance of the work or of notice of default of the contractor (38:2247(A)). No earliest-time-to-sue rule stated in the sections read, other than the claim needing to have matured before the sworn statement is filed.

Statute text: source 1, source 2, source 3. General information, not legal advice.

What a Louisiana performance bond costs

Premium on a $100,000 Louisiana contract:

How to get bonded for public work in Louisiana

Bid bond at bidding, performance and payment bonds at award: required on contracts over $25,000 under La. R.S. 38:2241.

Louisiana performance bond questions

Does Louisiana require a performance bond on public projects?

Yes, on covered public works contracts (La. R.S. 38:2241). The trigger: $25,000. Owners, lenders and bid documents can also require one by contract.

What is the Louisiana Little Miller Act threshold?

$25,000.

How much does a performance bond cost in Louisiana?

On a $100,000 Louisiana contract, typical ranges run about $1,000-$2,000 for excellent credit up to $5,000-$10,000 below 620. The issuing carrier sets the final price.

What is the deadline to sue on a Louisiana payment bond?

Action on the bond must be brought against the surety or the contractor or both within one year from the registry (recordation) of acceptance of the work or of notice of default of the contractor (38:2247(A)). No earliest-time-to-sue rule stated in the sections read, other than the claim needing to have matured before the sworn statement is filed. (La. R.S. 38:2241-2248 (Louisiana Public Works Act; esp. 38:2241, 38:2242, 38:2247)). Confirm the deadline against the statute and your contract before relying on it.

How do I get a Louisiana performance bond?

Use the form on this page with the contract amount and the public owner.

What happens after I apply for a performance bond in Louisiana?

The carrier decides approval and the final premium; you pay only when the bonds are issued.

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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
Reviewed by
Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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