Ohio Contractor License Bonds

How much does an Ohio contractor bond cost?

Ohio contractor bond costs start at $100 annually for most cities and counties. Your exact bond premium will vary depending on your city or county, license type, and required bond amount. Some cities and counties require their permit bonds expire on the same day annually to match their contractor license expiration, in which case your personal premium will be based on when you purchase your bond.

How do you get an Ohio contractor license bond?

You can purchase your Ohio contractor license bond online 24/7. Choose your city or county license from the dropdown above or the table below. Each city and county determines the information required on its form, but you'll usually provide your contractor or construction company name, physical business address, and license type for filing approval. Once your order is processed, your Ohio construction bond confirmation will be sent to your email. 

How fast can I get a license bond for contractor registration?

Our industry-leading technology and responsive customer service team allow us to deliver your official Ohio contractor bond faster than any other surety provider. SuretyBonds.com offers digital delivery for most Ohio construction contractor bonds. Orders placed by 4 PM CST Monday-Friday are typically processed with same-day emailed bond delivery. If your city or county requires your official bond be physically issued and delivered to you, we'll ship it to your preferred mailing address.

What is an Ohio contractor license bond?

“Ohio contractor license bond” is a blanket term for the many different surety bonds required by cities and counties for licensing across all contractor classifications. Ohio Revised Code 4740 requires local building and health departments to regulate their own commercial and residential contractors, which includes enforcing contractor license and bond requirements. All Ohio contractor bonds have unique terms, but they generally enforce contractor compliance laws that regulate construction work. The bond amount required varies depending on each city or county's individual codified ordinances.

Why do you need an Ohio contractor bond?

You need to file Ohio contractor bonds to fulfill individual city and county compliance requirements before becoming a licensed contractor. By filing these bonds you agree to follow any applicable state, county, or city laws that regulate contractor licensing. If you fail to do so, your issuing surety company will pay valid claims to those harmed by your noncompliance up to the full bond amount. You would then be required to reimburse your surety company for all damages paid. 

Who regulates licensing for contractors?

The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) enforces requirements for commercial contractors licensed to perform electrical; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); plumbing; hydronics; and refrigeration work in the state. If you have questions about these state contractor registration requirements, the board advises you call 1(614)644-3493.

Local city and county building and health departments enforce registration requirements for their own commercial permits and residential contractors. If you have questions about your city's construction contractor license and surety bond requirements, contact your local licensing department. If you need a surety bond for a city or county not listed here, call 1(800)308-4358.

Need a surety bond for a construction project in Ohio?

Ohio contractor bonds are required for local licensing compliance at the city or county level. If you need a surety bond before you can begin work on an individual contracted project, you might need a bid bond, payment bond, performance bond, or other type of contract bond. If you work in states other than Ohio, we also offer contractor license bonds nationwide.

How do I update or change my contractor bond form?

If your city or county requires you to make any changes to your Ohio surety bond documentation, contact your surety company. If you purchased your bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change. The most common changes requested for these bonds are the contractor or construction company's name or address.

How do I renew my contractor registration surety bond?

You must renew your Ohio construction bond before its current term expires to keep your contractor registration in good standing. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, renewal instructions will be emailed to you to keep your bond active for your next license term. You must maintain an active surety bond with each individual city and county as long as you perform construction work there.

How do I become a licensed contractor in Ohio?

Contractor license requirements vary depending on the cities and counties you work in and the type of construction work you do there. The first step in becoming a licensed contractor is determining which license you need for each city and county you work in. For example, you might need a general contractor license for one city or county and a home improvement contractor license for others.

You'll then need to submit the appropriate contractor license application forms as required by the city and county. Some of the most common requirements include a certificate of liability insurance, a state or federal license for your trade classification, worker’s compensation insurance, and government-issued identification. You can find specific requirements for your city or county below in the Additional Resources section.