Have a question? 
+1 815-826-6324 (815-8-BondAI) 
phil@AmericasSuretyBonds.com
Army Veteran Owned | Expert Surety Bonds Since 2004
Have a question? +1 815-826-6324 (815-8-BondAI) phil@AmericasSuretyBonds.com
Army Veteran Owned | Expert Surety Bonds Since 2004
Polk County will not register your state registered or county specialty license until a $5,000 surety bond is on file. It is a small bond with a narrow purpose, compliance with the Florida Building Code, and an annual premium keeps it in place without tying up $5,000 of your cash.
Polk County Building Division requires a $5,000 surety bond from contractors registering a State Registered or County Specialty license, under the authority of Fla. Stat. 489.131(3)(e). By statute the bond is conditioned only on compliance with the Florida Building Code and is payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. Registration runs two years and renews in odd-numbered years with the license.
We can help with all Florida bonds!
Many contractors assume this bond guarantees their contracts with customers. It does not. Fla. Stat. 489.131(3)(e) lets a county require one bond per contractor, in an amount not to exceed $5,000, conditioned only on compliance with the Florida Building Code adopted under s. 553.73. The bond is payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund and filed in each county or municipality where a building permit is requested.
The statute also requires these bonds to be available to all contractors equally, regardless of how long they have been certified or registered. It grants bond reciprocity statewide, and the bond counts toward any financial responsibility requirement in another statute or rule.
Under 489.131(3)(e), a contractor who provides a third-party insured warranty policy for a new building or structure is exempt from the bond requirement for that structure.
The Polk County Building Division registration form, PD BLD 32, applies to holders of any State Registered or County Specialty license. Along with the $5,000 surety bond, the county asks for a general liability certificate, a workers' compensation certificate or exemption, and the county Construction Waste and Setback Acknowledgment form. Insurance certificates must name the Polk County Building Division, PO Box 9005, Drawer GM02, Bartow, FL 33831-9005, as certificate holder.
First-time registrants also need a letter of reciprocity from their sponsoring municipality, scores of at least 75% on the business law and trade exams, and good standing with that municipality.
Registration covers two years and renews in odd-numbered years with the license. The fee is $150 for residential, trade and county specialty, $225 for building contractors and $300 for general contractors, and it is half price when registering after June 1 of an even-numbered year.
Not directly. The statute limits the condition to compliance with the Florida Building Code, and the bond is payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund.
Fla. Stat. 489.131(3)(e) exempts a contractor who provides a third-party insured warranty policy for a new building or structure, for that structure.
For two years, $150 for residential, trade and county specialty, $225 for building contractors and $300 for general contractors. The fee is halved after June 1 of an even-numbered year.
Every two years, in odd-numbered years, together with your license renewal.
The surety prices it from the $5,000 amount and your credit. You pay a premium, not the face amount.
This website is a referral and marketing platform that connects users with licensed insurance agents. We do not issue surety bonds directly except in states where we are licensed. All bond applications are processed and fulfilled by licensed agents. By using this site, you agree to our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies. If you do not agree, please exit the site.
All Florida Contractor bonds · All Polk County, FL bonds · All Florida surety bonds