Contractor License ($1,000) Bond - City of Columbus, MS in Mississippi

Brief Summary

A Columbus general contractor's license comes with a bond, and the city is clear about why. It funds building code enforcement when a contractor walks away from corrections. The $1,000 bond is one of the smallest pieces of getting licensed, and holding it lets you pull permits and work inside the city.

The City of Columbus, Mississippi attaches a $1,000 surety bond to its general contractor's license. The city uses bond funds to cover legal expenses and repair building code violations when a contractor fails to make required corrections. The bond names the City of Columbus as obligee and is handled through the Inspection Department at 1621 Main Street.

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How to Apply for a Contractor License ($1,000) Bond:

• Confirm the current bond form with the Columbus Inspection Department at 662-245-5055.
• Legal business name and address exactly as they will appear on the city contractor's license.
• Owner name, home address and Social Security number for the credit review.
• Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
• Pay the premium and receive the executed $1,000 bond naming the City of Columbus as obligee.
• File the bond with the Inspection Department at 1621 Main Street as part of the general contractor's license.

Detailed Information About the Mississippi Contractor License ($1,000) Bond:

Who has to post this bond

The City of Columbus states that its General Contractor's license carries a bond with it. Any contractor licensing with the city to perform general contracting work posts the $1,000 bond as part of that license.

What the bond pays for

This is where most contractors have the wrong idea. The Columbus bond is not a consumer restitution fund. The city says the bond helps provide funds to aid enforcement of the building codes, and that bond funds are used to cover legal expenses and repair building code violations. The process is spelled out. The building inspector notifies the contractor of the corrections needed and sets a deadline. The bond is called only when all methods to correct the problem are exhausted. If the surety pays, the contractor repays the surety.

City license versus state license

The city notes that the state license does not provide for individual restitution. Holding a state license does not replace the city license and bond. The city also does not allow a license from outside the State of Mississippi to be transferred to Columbus. Out of state contractors license with the city directly.

Permits after licensing

A license and bond do not replace permits. For a construction permit, the city asks for a completed construction permit application, which can be filled out in the office, and the estimated cost of construction including electrical. All in ground pools require a building permit, as do above ground pools connected to any electrical device such as a pump.

Filing and contact

The Inspection Department is at 1621 Main Street, 662-245-5055. Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with that office before the bond is issued.

How premium is set

Premium is paid yearly. The surety prices it from the owner's personal credit, time in business and any prior bond claims, measured against the $1,000 bond amount. You see the quote before you pay anything.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Mississippi Contractor License ($1,000) Bond:

• City of Columbus, Mississippi named as obligee.
• Bond amount of $1,000.
• Principal name on the bond matching the city contractor's license exactly.
• Bond kept in force while the license is active.
• Owner credit review, which sets the premium rate.

Mississippi Contractor License ($1,000) Bond FAQs:

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