South Carolina Bid Bonds

You can now get a Bid Bond (almost) instantly. For Bids under $100,000, click here

For all bids greater than $100,000, get our Express Application form:

Express Application (click to download form)

1. Complete the form and email to [email protected]. 
2. Be sure to include the RFQ/ITB (bid specs from the obligee).

What is a Bid Bond in South Carolina?

A bid bond is a type of surety bond, which guarantees that the bidder will accept the project and complete the agreement according to its terms. It provides assurance to the project owner that the bidder has the ability and capability to finish the job once the bidder is selected after winning the bid. The basic reason is that you need one in order to get the work. But the bigger question is why are more owners/developers requiring a bid bond in the first place? The simply explanation is risk. Given the uncertainty of the marketplace, which includes long-term contractors closing shop, to municipalities filing bankruptcy (or just slow paying), has led to owners being afraid that their contractors will be unable to complete the work. So, they require a some protection.

Just fill out our bond application here and email it to [email protected] - click here to get our South Carolina Bid Bond Application

A bid bond is issued as part of a bid by a surety bond company to the project owner. The owner is then assures that the winning bidder will take on the contract under the terms at which they bid.

Most bid bonds contain a bid percentage (usually five or ten percent, is forfeited if you don’t accept the job).

How much does a Bid Bond Cost in South Carolina?

Swiftbonds does not charge for a surety bid bond (with two exceptions, see below). The reason that we don't charge for a bid bond is that we will charge for the contract bond if you get the job. The cost of a P&P bond can vary widely depending on the amount of coverage that is required (see below).

Two exceptions for bid bond charges:
1) We do charge for Overnight fees
2) We will charge you if there is NOT going to be a bond on the contract.

How much do bonds cost in SC?

Bond prices fluctuate based on the job size (that is, it's based on the cost of the underlying contract). The cost of a bond is estimated through a couple of back-of-the-envelope calculations.  In general, the cost is approximately three percent (3%) for jobs under $800,000 and then the percentage is lower as the contract amount increases. We work diligently to find the lowest premiums possible in the state of South Carolina. Please call us today at (913) 286-6501. We'll find you the very best rate possible for your maintenance bond or completion bond. Things that can affect this pricing are the perceived risk of the job, the financial position of the entity being bonded, plus other factors.

These rates are for Merit clients, Standard rates are higher. See our Performance Bond Cost page for more.

How do I get a Bid Bond in South Carolina?

We make it easy to get a contract bid bond.  Just click here to get our South Carolina Bid Bond Application.  Fill it out and then email it and the South Carolina bid specs/contract documents to [email protected] or fax to 855-433-4192.

You can also call us at (913) 286-6501. We fully review all application for bid bonds and then submit it to the surety that we believe will provide the best surety bid bond for your contract. We have a great success rate in getting our clients surety bonds at the very best rates possible.

What is a South Carolina Bid Bond?

A bid bond is a bond that guarantees that you will accept the work if you win the contract. The bid fee (usually five (5%) or ten (10%) percent) is a penalty that is paid when you win the bid, but then refuse the work.

Find a Bid Bond near Me

Typically, a bid bond and performance/payment bond are done together in the same contract by the surety. This way, the owner of the project is assured that the project can be completed pursuant to the terms of the contract and that it will not be liened by any contractor. The bond is risk security for the benefit of the owner.

Who Gets the Bond?

The general contractor is the entity that gets the bond. It is for the benefit of the owner (or in the case of government contract work, the governmental entity). However, it's the general contractor that has to apply for the bond and be underwritten before the bid bond is written by the surety. This is also known as bonding a business.

We provide bid bonds in each of the following counties:

Abbeville
Aiken
Allendale
Anderson
Bamberg
Barnwell
Beaufort
Berkeley
Calhoun
Charleston
Cherokee
Chester
Chesterfield
Clarendon
Colleton
Darlington
Dillon
Dorchester
Edgefield
Fairfield
Florence
Georgetown
Greenville
Greenwood
Hampton
Horry
Jasper
Kershaw
Lancaster
Laurens
Lee
Lexington
McCormick
Marion
Marlboro
Newberry
Oconee
Orangeburg
Pickens
Richland
Saluda
Spartanburg
Sumter
Union
Williamsburg
York

And Cities:
Charleston
Columbia
Greenville
Myrtle Beach
Spartanburg
Florence
Hilton Head Island
Rock Hill
Summerville
Mount Pleasant

See our South Dakota Bid Bond page here.

More on Surety Bid Bonds https://swiftbonds.com/bid-bond/.

Learn more about a plus bonding Lexington SC.

Learning More About Applying and Finding The Right Bid Bonds For Your Needs

Bid Bonds can be complicated to apply for, especially if you don't understand how they work. Most individuals consider this as insurance, but it's actually a type of guarantee that the principal will perform their work properly for the obliged. Insurance companies usually offer a Surety Bid Bond, but you cannot call it insurance because its function is different. Most individuals will  require you to get a bid bond before they consider your services as it is a form of guarantee to them.

If you'd like to consider applying for a bid bond or other bonds, you must understand how they work. We will provide you information on the importance of Bid Bonds and how they actually work.

The Importance Of A Surety Bid Bond

Bid Bonds will always be in demand to protect the public because it is a kind of assurance that your obligations and duties will be completed. Most states require you to get a license surety bond to ensure that your company will adhere to state code and laws and you get a contract bond to guarantee that a public project will be completed. A Surety Bid Bond is meant for the obliged since they are the ones that are being protected, but it will also benefit you because the clients will trust you and your work. There are thousands of bonds right now and the type of bond that you are trying to find will depend upon your situation.

The Primary Purpose Of A Surety Bid Bond

Bid Bonds are a three-party agreement between the principal, the obliged and the surety company. The principal is the employer or company which will perform the work and the obliged is known as the project owner. Construction companies will almost always be required by law to acquire Bid Bonds if they're chosen for a public project. The government will require a construction company to get a host of bonds before they work on a certain project. The bond will ensure that the sub-contractors and the other workers will be paid even if the contractor defaults. The contractor will cover the losses, but when they reach their limit, the duty will fall to the surety company.

How To Apply For A Surety Bid Bond

Bid Bonds are provided by insurance providers, but there are standalone surety businesses that focus on these products. A surety company must be licensed by a state Department of Insurance.

It won't be easy to apply for a bond since the applicants will have to go through a process that is comparable to applying for a loan. The bond underwriters will look into the credit profile of the applicant, their financial history and other key factors.

It means that there is a chance that you won't be approved for a bid bond, particularly if the bond underwriters see something from your credit rating that makes them think you will be a risk.

How Much Will You Spend?

You cannot put an exact cost on a Surety Bid Bond because the cost is affected by numerous factors like the bond type, bond amount, where it will likely be issued, contractual risk, credit history of the applicant and more. There are thousands of different bonds available today and the cost will depend on the bond that you want to get. The amount of the bond will be a factor because you could select a $10,000 bond or a $25,000 bond or higher.

If you already have a credit history of 700 and above or very near this number, you can be eligible for the standard bonding market and you will need to pay 1 to 4 percent of the Surety Bid Bond amount. It means that if you obtain a $10,000 bond, you only have to pay $100 to $400 for the interest.

Your Application For A Bid Bond Could Be Rejected

There is a possibility that your bid bond request will be refused by the surety company since it will depend upon the information that they can get from the background check. If the surety company thinks that it will be a risk to give you a bid bond, they will deny your application. Your credit history is one of the most important factors to be approved for a bid bond because if you have a bad credit history, it shows a risk of default on the bond.

You CAN get a bid bond even if you have a bad credit score, but most likely you will pay an interest rate upwards of 10 to 20 percent.

If you plan to get a Surety Bid Bond, make certain you understand what is required prior to deciding. It is not easy to apply for, but if you know more about them, it will be a little bit easier to be approved.