What a contractor license bond is
Some states, and many cities and counties, make contractors post a bond to get or renew a license. It protects customers, workers and the public if the contractor breaks the licensing laws, for example by abandoning a job or not paying workers. The contractor repays the surety for any claim it pays.
In Connecticut
Connecticut does not require a bond to register as a home improvement contractor. Contractors register with the Department of Consumer Protection and pay into the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which can pay a homeowner up to $25,000 per contract when a registered contractor's job goes wrong.
- Registration is required for residential work on single or multifamily dwellings of six units or less, among other property types.
- New home construction contractors register separately and must carry liability insurance of at least $20,000 (DCP guide).
- A town can set its own bond rules for specific permits, such as street excavation.
You need this bond if you're
- A contractor applying for a new license
- A contractor renewing or reactivating a license
- A business changing its entity type or qualifier
- A contractor starting work in a city or county that requires its own bond
What the surety looks at
Basic business and owner details. Most license bonds need a credit check but no financial statements.