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What Is a West Virginia Contractor License Bond?
In many states, contractors working in the construction industry must get a license to work on projects in accordance with the law. West Virginia does not have a statewide requirement for contractor licensing, but a handful of counties and cities may impose these rules.
When a contractor license is necessary, part of the licensing process may involve securing a West Virginia contractor license bond. As a type of surety bond, a West Virginia contractor license bond protects the licensing authority and the customers of a contractor when they perform construction projects.
This type of surety bond is not insurance for the contractor, but it provides customers with protection against financial losses should the work not be performed up to code.
How Does a West Virginia Contractor License Bond Work?
A West Virginia contractor license bond functions as a three-party contractual agreement.
The Obligee
When a local licensing authority does require a West Virginia contractor license bond to be posted, that authority is known as the obligee of the bond.
The Principal
The contractor who must post the bond to get licensed is referred to as the principal of the bond.
The Surety
The surety company is the one that provides the bond to the principal and pays any claims on the front end. The contractor then repays the claims.
West Virginia Contractor License Bond Obligee Details
Because West Virginia does not have a statewide requirement for contractors to hold a license, there is no central licensing authority that mandates a bond to be in place.
Who Needs a West Virginia Contractor License Bond?
In West Virginia, contractors are generally defined as individuals working on residential or commercial construction projects. This may include home remodeling or renovation, landscaping, electrical or plumbing work, roofers, or excavation.
A West Virginia contractor license bond may be required for anyone working in these fields of construction, but checking with your local licensing authority provides clarity on who is required to post a bond and secure a license.
How Do You Get a West Virginia Contractor License Bond?
To get started with the bonding process, contractors submit a bond quote request online or over the phone. The surety company evaluates the type of bond needed, the amount of the bond, and the contractor's credit history, and then provides a quote for the bond premium.
How Much Does a West Virginia Contractor License Bond Cost?
As with other surety bonds, a West Virginia contractor license bond is priced according to the bond amount required and the credit history of the contractor. Bond amounts vary depending on the local licensing authority requiring the bond.
Depending on the type of contractor work performed, a bond may be required in the amount of $5,000 or more, but licensed contractors do not pay this full amount. The surety company providing the bond calculates the bond premium paid by the contractor as a percentage of the total bond to be secured.
Bond premiums typically range from 1 to 10 percent of the bond amount. Contractors undergo a credit check as part of the bonding process, to see if they present a financial risk to the surety company.
Can I Get a West Virginia Contractor License Bond with Bad Credit?
When credit has been an issue in the recent past, a contractor can still obtain a bond, but they will pay a higher bond premium than someone who has a clean financial track record.
How Do I Renew My West Virginia Contractor License Bond?
West Virginia contractor license bonds renew one to two years after they are secured. Your surety company will remind you when your bond is set to renew. You must renew your bond in a timely manner so that you don’t risk invalidating your bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pricing is a percentage of the contractor license bond amount that’s required of you, which is based on your personal credit. Use our bond pricing tool to to get a quick ballpark estimate.
Yes. You can apply and get bonded with bad credit. Our agency is the largest writer of bonds in the county, which allows us to approve contractors for bonds when other agencies cannot.
No. Contractor license bonds ensure you will abide by the laws of your state, city or municipality when performing contracting work. Contract bonds guarantee public projects will be completed properly and are a separate bond type. You can learn more about contract surety bonds by visiting the contractor bond center.
It depends on who is requiring the bond of you, the local municipality, county or state. Depending on your location, it is possible you may need both a local and state bond, as contractor license bond requirements can vary drastically. You can select your state to see a full list of contractor license bond requirements.