Month: January 2017

Secrets of Bonding #137: Identify 5 Mystery Bonds Contractors Need

Steve Golia1 Comment

Think you are pretty familiar with the various surety bonds contractors may need?  See if you can identify these five that we are commonly asked to provide by contractors and our agency partners. Also try for the Bonus Question at the end!

  • Mystery #1: In this instrument, the bonding company guarantees that a contractor / “principal” will correct defective materials and / or workmanship in a completed project.  These bonds are often written for one or two years.
  • Mystery #2: This bond is issued with a municipality as beneficiary.  It guarantees that the construction company, if allowed to disrupt public property, will restore the area after performing a contract and prevent the municipality from having to pay for such reconstruction. Hint: A plumbing contractor may need these.
  • Mystery #3: Number three is a form of financial guarantee that promises a money penalty will be paid if the construction company does not enter into a contract when expected to do so.
  • Mystery #4: This one is a guarantee that the construction company will comply with all the terms in a written contract and faithfully pay suppliers of labor and material used in connection with the project.
  • Mystery #5: Also written with a municipality are beneficiary, this bond promises that the principal will build certain “public improvements” stipulated by the municipal engineering firm. The municipality does not have a contract with the principal, nor will it pay for the work.Question mark

OK, got your answers? 

#1: This is a Maintenance Bond.  They normally are issued after the completion / acceptance of a contract.  The dollar amount is often for less than the contract.

#2: A Street Opening Bond is an example of a Permit Bond.  This enables a contractor to cut the street open for access to water and sewer connections.  If the municipality grants permission for the work, they expect it to be reconstructed in accordance with local building standards, and not at public expense.

#3: Is a Bid Bond. Bid bond amounts are often expressed as a percentage of the proposal they accompany (such as a “10% bid bond”).  This is because the actual bid amount is confidential to the bidder at the time of bond issuance.  If the bidder fails to accept an award of the contract, the bid bond penalty may be claimed by the obligee to reimburse them for going to the second (higher) proposal.

#4: A Performance and Payment Bond (aka Labor and Materialmen’s Payment Bond) is issued usually for 100% of the contract amount.  These are commonly required to protect the public interest on government contracts.  Private owners and lenders may also stipulate them.

#5: A Site Bond. Contractors sometimes ask us for these, but the correct applicant is the property OWNER, not the construction company being hired to do the work.

If the contractor furnishes this bond (we do NOT recommend this), they become obligated directly to the municipality, and must build the required public improvements even if they are not paid by the property owner.  Bad!  The site bond obligation more correctly lies with the property owner / developer.

Bonus Question: This bond is different.  It has the construction company as the obligee / beneficiary of the bond.  The “principal” (the party whose actions are the subject of the bond) are the company employees.  The bond reimburses the company for dishonest acts committed against it by its employees.  What type of bond is it?  Unscramble these letters for the answer:  

l e f i y t i d

FIA Surety is a NJ based bonding company (carrier) that has specialized in Site, Subdivision and Contract Surety Bonds since 1979 – we’re good at it!  Call us with your next one.

Steve Golia, Marketing Mgr.: 856-304-7348

First Indemnity of America Ins. Co.

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The Epic Bond Battle 

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It happens this time every year. The EPIC BATTLE, the Battle Royale.  It is a Tug of War, a test of strength, a fight to the finish. What is it exactly?  It is the cage match between the Tax Advisor and the Bond Manager.

Every year contractors make an important decision.  The tax advisor says “It will be great for you to pay less taxes!”  But the Bond Manager says “It will be great for you to pay more taxes!”  Who is right?!

Actually, they both are.tug

We understand that paying the tax man is painful. You want to hang onto your money, not throw it into that black hole known as the IRS. But paying taxes has an important beneficial effect if bonded contracts are part of the strategy for the coming year.  Paying taxes can help the construction company qualify for increased levels of bonding support.

Keep in mind, the company is primarily the bond applicant.  And the bond underwriter needs to be confident that the applicant will remain in business for the completion of the bonded work, and that it is strong enough to withstand the problems that, if left unresolved, would result in bond claims.

One important element in this analysis is a review of the company financial statements.  In these reports the underwriter hopes to see financial strength and balance, profitability and good management.  In reality, you don’t have profitability and financial growth without incurring a tax bill.  So to this extent, the tax advisor and the bond manager are at odds.

Company management will make the final decision.  Where is the balance point between taxes and bonds?  It is a critical decision because the fiscal year-end results are an underwriting element that is considered throughout the year.  It directly affects the amount of surety capacity that is offered.  This will either empower the company or hinder the contractor’s ability to acquire new work for the next year.

We can help contractors make an informed decision.  It is a free service we provide to all contractors, even if they are not currently our customer. 

We need to review a draft copy of the fiscal year-end company financial statement. Tell us the amount of bonding capacity that is desired in the coming year.  We will provide a free analysis indicating if the financial statement qualifies for the desired surety credit, or if profitability levels, net worth, and ratios (and taxes!) require adjustment.  This is the contractor’s opportunity to make beneficial adjustments before the recent year is cast in stone.

KIS Surety is the national contract bond underwriting department for Great Midwest Insurance Company, a national, corporate surety with an A-8 rating.  We throw all this underwriting talent at your bond opportunities and support contracts up to $10,000,000.

If you have a contract surety case that needs a fast, creative response, call us: 856-304-7348

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