Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Cement Contractor Bond - Manatee, FL in Florida

Brief Summary

A cement contractor bond in Manatee County is a license and permit bond, not a performance bond for one job. It is posted once to stand behind your work across the permits you pull, and you pay a modest annual premium instead of depositing cash with the county. Get the bond in hand before you register so your permit applications are not held up.

Manatee County's Contractor Licensing Section licenses and registers contractors for specific trades in unincorporated Manatee County. Florida law caps any local contractor bond at $5,000 per contractor, conditions it only on compliance with the Florida Building Code, and makes it payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. Confirm the current amount and bond form with the Licensing Section before the bond is issued.

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How to Apply for a Cement Contractor Bond:

  • Confirm the current bond amount, obligee wording and form with the Manatee County Licensing Section.
  • Have the business name and qualifier name exactly as they appear on the license or registration.
  • Owner name and home address for the surety's credit review.
  • Complete the bond application and review the quoted annual premium.
  • Sign the executed bond and file it with the county through the licensing process.
  • Keep the bond in force for as long as the license is active.

Detailed Information About the Florida Cement Contractor Bond:

What this bond actually covers

The most common mistake is treating this as a project bond. Section 489.131(3)(e) of the Florida Statutes allows a county or city to require one bond for each contractor, in an amount not to exceed $5,000. The bond is conditioned only on compliance with the Florida Building Code. It does not guarantee that you finish a particular job or pay your suppliers. Those are separate performance and payment bonds that a project owner may ask for.

Under the same statute, the bond is payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and is filed in each county or municipality where a building permit is requested. The law also says the bond must be equally available to all contractors, regardless of how long they have been licensed and regardless of any financial responsibility requirements.

Who issues the license

The Contractor Licensing Section of the Manatee County Building Division handles licensing and registration so that contractors are properly licensed and registered for specific trades in unincorporated Manatee County. Requests are handled through the county's Accela Online Services Portal. If your work is inside a city such as Bradenton or Palmetto, check with that city as well.

The exemption most contractors miss

A contractor who provides a third party insured warranty policy on a new building or structure for the benefit of the purchaser or owner is exempt from this bond for that building or structure.

Before you buy

The county's online pages do not publish the bond amount or form. Call the Licensing Section at (941) 748-4501 x3574 or email licensing@mymanatee.org to confirm the amount, the obligee wording and filing steps before the bond is issued.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Florida Cement Contractor Bond:

  • One bond per contractor, not per job.
  • Amount set by the local government and capped by state law at $5,000.
  • Condition limited to compliance with the Florida Building Code.
  • Payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and filed where permits are requested.
  • Owner credit review by the surety, which shapes the premium.

Florida Cement Contractor Bond FAQs:

Is this a performance bond for my concrete jobs?

No. It is a license bond. Under Fla. Stat. 489.131(3)(e) it is conditioned only on compliance with the Florida Building Code. A project owner who wants completion or payment protection will ask for a separate performance or payment bond.

How much can Manatee County require?

State law caps a local contractor bond at $5,000 per contractor. Confirm the exact current amount with the Manatee County Licensing Section before the bond is issued.

Can I skip the bond?

A contractor who provides a third party insured warranty policy on a new building or structure for the owner's benefit is exempt from this bond for that building or structure.

Who do I contact at the county?

The Licensing Section of the Manatee County Building Division at (941) 748-4501 x3574 or licensing@mymanatee.org.

What does it cost?

You pay an annual premium, not the face amount of the bond. The surety sets it after reviewing the owner's credit.

Official and Additional Resources for the Florida Cement Contractor Bond:

All Florida Contractor bonds · All Manatee, FL bonds · All Florida surety bonds