📈 Contractor Bond Claim Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your potential recovery from a California contractor's license bond. Enter your contract details below to see how much you may be able to recover.
📋 What Is a Contractor's License Bond?
Every California licensed contractor is required to post a contractor's license bond (also called a contractor bond or CSLB bond) as a condition of licensure. This bond protects homeowners and consumers who are damaged by the contractor's violations of the Contractors State License Law.
Key Facts About Contractor Bonds
💰 $25,000 Minimum
As of January 1, 2015, most contractors must maintain at least a $25,000 bond. Swimming pool contractors require $50,000.
📅 2-Year Deadline
Claims must be filed within 2 years from the violation date, or 1 year from project completion, whichever is later.
🔒 Separate from Insurance
The license bond is different from liability insurance. You can pursue both if the contractor has coverage.
👥 Multiple Claimants
If multiple homeowners file claims and the bond is insufficient, funds are distributed pro-rata among all valid claimants.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Bond claims can cover various types of damages resulting from contractor violations:
- Overpayment: Money paid for work that was never completed
- Incomplete Work: Cost to hire another contractor to complete the job
- Defective Work: Cost to repair work not meeting industry standards
- Property Damage: Damage to your property caused by the contractor
- Subcontractor Liens: Payments to release liens from unpaid subs (if you paid contractor)
⚠ Bond Claims Are Separate From CSLB Complaints
Filing a CSLB complaint is NOT the same as filing a bond claim. You must file directly with the bonding company to recover money. The CSLB complaint process may result in license discipline but does not recover your damages.
⚖ Legal Basis
California Business & Professions Code sections 7071.5 through 7071.11 govern contractor license bonds and the claims process.
B&P Code Section 7071.5 - Bond Requirement
Requires all licensed contractors to file and maintain a contractor's bond in the amount of $25,000 (or $50,000 for swimming pool contractors) as a condition of licensure.
B&P Code Section 7071.6 - Bond Coverage
The bond is for the benefit of persons damaged by a violation of the Contractors' State License Law or by fraud of the contractor. Claims must be filed within 2 years of the act or 1 year of completion, whichever is later.
B&P Code Section 7071.11 - Pro-Rata Distribution
If the bond is insufficient to pay all claims in full, the surety shall pay claims pro-rata based on their respective amounts. Priority is given to homeowners over materialmen/suppliers.
Common Violations Supporting Bond Claims
🚫 B&P 7109 - Departure from Plans
Willful departure from building plans or specifications without owner consent
🚫 B&P 7110 - Negligent Construction
Failure to comply with contract terms, deliberate or gross negligence
🚫 B&P 7113 - Fraud
Fraud, deceit, or false statements in obtaining or performing a contract
🚫 B&P 7119 - Abandonment
Failure to complete a project for the agreed price without legal excuse
📝 How to File a Bond Claim
Filing a contractor bond claim involves several steps. Here's the process from start to finish:
Step 1: Get Bond Information
Look up the contractor's license on the CSLB website (cslb.ca.gov) to find the bonding company name and bond number. The bond information is listed on the license detail page.
Step 2: Contact the Bonding Company
Contact the surety company directly to request their bond claim form. Most sureties have specific claim forms that must be completed.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documentation
Gather your contract, payment records, photos of incomplete/defective work, repair estimates, and any correspondence with the contractor.
Step 4: Submit Written Claim
File a written claim with the bonding company including your completed claim form, documentation, and a detailed calculation of your damages.
Step 5: Surety Investigation
The surety will investigate your claim, contact the contractor, and evaluate the evidence. This typically takes 30-90 days.
Step 6: Settlement or Lawsuit
If the surety accepts your claim, they'll offer settlement. If denied, you may need to sue the contractor and bonding company to recover.
💡 Pro Tip: File CSLB Complaint Simultaneously
While you file your bond claim, also file a complaint with the CSLB. The CSLB investigation can provide evidence supporting your bond claim, and may result in license suspension which motivates settlement.
✅ Evidence Checklist
Gather the following documentation to support your bond claim:
📋 Contract Documents
- ✓ Signed written contract
- ✓ All change orders and amendments
- ✓ Project plans and specifications
- ✓ Permit documents
💰 Payment Records
- ✓ Canceled checks or bank statements
- ✓ Credit card statements
- ✓ Receipts from contractor
- ✓ Payment schedule vs. actual payments
📷 Damage Documentation
- ✓ Photos of incomplete work
- ✓ Photos of defective work
- ✓ Video documentation
- ✓ Written description of issues
🔧 Professional Estimates
- ✓ Completion estimate from licensed contractor
- ✓ Repair estimate for defects
- ✓ Inspector report (if applicable)
- ✓ Engineering assessment (if structural)
💬 Sample Bond Claim Language
Use this sample language when writing your bond claim letter to the surety company:
Bond Number: [BOND NUMBER]
Principal: [CONTRACTOR NAME]
License Number: [CSLB LICENSE #]
Dear Claims Department:
I am writing to submit a formal claim against the contractor's license bond issued by your company on behalf of [CONTRACTOR NAME], California Contractor's License Number [LICENSE #].
Pursuant to California Business & Professions Code Section 7071.5-7071.6, I am entitled to recover damages caused by the contractor's violations of the Contractors' State License Law.
Total Contract Price: $[AMOUNT]
Amount Paid to Contractor: $[AMOUNT PAID]
Value of Work Actually Completed: $[WORK VALUE]
Overpayment (Amount Paid minus Work Value): $[OVERPAYMENT]
Cost to Complete Remaining Work: $[COMPLETION COST]
Cost to Repair Defective Work: $[REPAIR COST]
Other Damages: $[OTHER]
TOTAL DAMAGES CLAIMED: $[TOTAL]
Demand is hereby made for payment of the above damages, up to the full penal sum of the bond.
The contractor violated the following provisions of the Business & Professions Code:
1. B&P Code Section 7109 - Willful departure from building plans and specifications without my consent, specifically: [DESCRIBE DEPARTURES]
2. B&P Code Section 7110 - Failure to comply with the terms of our contract in a material respect, specifically: [DESCRIBE FAILURES]
3. B&P Code Section 7119 - Failure to complete the project for the agreed price, having abandoned the work on [DATE] when only approximately [PERCENTAGE]% of the work was completed.
🚀 Next Steps
After calculating your potential bond claim recovery, here's what to do next:
✅ Look Up Bond Info
Visit CSLB License Lookup to find the contractor's bonding company and bond number.
📝 File CSLB Complaint
File a complaint with the CSLB while pursuing your bond claim. Visit CSLB File Complaint.
📩 Contact Surety
Call the bonding company to request their claim form and ask about their specific documentation requirements.
⚖ Consult an Attorney
For claims over $10,000 or complex situations, consider consulting a construction attorney.