Houston contractor bonds,
issued for every city in Texas.
License and permit bonds for contractors working in Houston, Harris County, and every municipality across Texas. Sidewalk, driveway, right-of-way, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general contractor. Most bonds $50–$300 per year and issued the same day.
- Houston, Harris County, and every Texas city
- Annual license bonds and one-off permit bonds
- Flat-rate pricing on small bonds, no credit pull
The bond a city requires before issuing your contractor license.
A contractor license bond is required by city or county governments as a condition of holding a trade license — sidewalk contractor, general contractor, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or right-of-way permit holder. It guarantees you follow local ordinances and pay for any damage you cause to public property.
Texas is a patchwork. There is no state-issued general contractor license, so every city writes its own requirements. Houston requires a $2,000 sidewalk/driveway/curb/gutter bond. Harris County has its own right-of-way permit bond. Suburbs like Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, and Katy each have their own small bonds. Dallas and Austin have separate programs.
Call or tell us the city and the trade — we know the bond, the amount, and how fast we can issue.
Sample bonds and typical premiums.
Small license and permit bonds are almost always flat-rate. Larger bonds run 1–3% annually for standard credit.
| Bond | Typical amount | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Houston sidewalk / driveway / curb / gutter City of Houston | $2,000 | $75–$100 |
| Houston right-of-way permit Excavation, paving, utility | $5,000–$25,000 | $100–$375 |
| Harris County ROW permit Unincorporated county work | $5,000 | $100–$150 |
| Suburb general contractor Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, etc. | $10,000–$25,000 | $150–$375 |
| TDLR trade license Some suburbs require | $5,000–$50,000 | $100–$750 |
| Dallas / Austin general contractor Larger metros | $10,000–$100,000 | $150–$1,500 |
Your exact premium depends on credit, business history, and bond amount. We quote the exact bond for your city after a soft credit pull.
Four steps, most same day.
- 01
Tell us the city and trade
City name, permit type, trade (general, plumbing, electrical, sidewalk, ROW). We identify the exact bond the city requires.
- 02
Quote & sign
Exact premium, electronic application. Soft credit pull on bonds over $25,000. No hard pull until you approve.
- 03
Pay & receive bond
Payment by card, ACH, or check. Bond executed and emailed the same day, ready to file.
- 04
File with the city
Submit the bond with your license or permit application. We walk first-time applicants through filing with Houston, Harris County, or any Texas municipality.
Who requires the bond and why.
Individual Texas cities and counties. No statewide general contractor license in Texas. TDLR handles plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trade licenses but does not require a statewide bond for most trades.
Houston Code of Ordinances Chapter 40 (streets & sidewalks) for the sidewalk/driveway/curb/gutter contractor bond. Chapter 47 (infrastructure permits) for right-of-way work.
Varies by city — from $2,000 (Houston sidewalk) to $100,000 (Dallas general contractor). Tell us the city and we tell you the amount.
Most license bonds run annually, renewing with the license. Permit bonds run per project and close when the permit is finalized.
The issuing city or county, property owners damaged by the contractor's work in the public right-of-way, and utility companies for damage to their infrastructure.
Every city. Every trade. Same day.
We know the ordinances
Houston, Harris County, all major Texas metros, and dozens of suburbs. Tell us the city and trade — we know the exact bond form.
Flat-rate on small bonds
Bonds under $10,000 usually price at a flat rate with no credit pull. Same-day issuance, often within the hour.
Bigger bonds, every credit tier
$25,000+ bonds underwritten through multiple markets — preferred, standard, and hard-to-place. We do not turn away contractors over credit.
If you bid public work, you need these too.
Contractor bond questions we answer daily.
Is there a statewide Texas contractor license bond?
No. Texas does not license general contractors at the state level, so there is no single statewide "Texas contractor license bond." Bonds are required by individual cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) and by trade licensing boards (TDLR for plumbers, electricians, HVAC). The bond you need depends on the city you work in and the trade you hold.
What contractor bonds does the City of Houston require?
Houston requires a $2,000 bond for sidewalk, driveway, curb, and gutter contractors working in the public right-of-way. Separate permit bonds apply to right-of-way excavation, water and sewer work, and paving. Rates are low — typically $100 or less for the 1-year term — because the bond amounts are small.
How much does a contractor license bond cost?
Most city contractor bonds are small ($2,000–$25,000), which means premiums are low — usually $50–$300 per year on standard credit. Larger bonds (like $50,000+ TDLR plumbing master bonds or general contractor bonds in other cities) run 1–3% annually for strong credit.
How is a contractor license bond different from a performance or payment bond?
A license bond is required to hold the license — it guarantees you follow city ordinances and trade regulations. A performance or payment bond is project-specific — it guarantees you finish a particular construction contract and pay your subs and suppliers. You can have a city license bond and still need separate bid, performance, and payment bonds on each public project.
Do TDLR-licensed plumbers, electricians, or HVAC technicians need a bond?
TDLR does not require a statewide surety bond for plumbing, electrical, or HVAC licensing. However, many Texas cities require bonds on top of TDLR licensure — Houston requires registration for certain trades, and some suburbs (Pasadena, Sugar Land, Pearland) require bonds of $5,000–$25,000 for electrical and plumbing permit pulls. Tell us the city and trade; we know the requirement.
Can I get a contractor license bond with bad credit?
Yes. Small license bonds ($2,000–$10,000) are low-risk and most are written at flat rates regardless of credit. Larger bonds ($25,000+) are credit-based but we have programs for sub-620 credit, tax liens, and past bankruptcies.
How fast can I get a contractor license bond?
Same-day, usually within an hour, for standard license bonds under $25,000. Larger bonds or contractors with complex financials may take 1–3 business days.
What is the difference between a license bond and a permit bond?
A license bond is tied to holding the license itself and renews with the license (annually for most cities). A permit bond is tied to a single permit — one project, one bond — and expires when the permit closes. Some cities (Houston, Dallas) use both: a blanket license bond to be authorized plus individual permit bonds on specific jobs.
Get your Texas contractor license bond today.
Every city, every trade, same day. Tell us the municipality — we know the bond.