DC Contractor License Bonds

February 18, 2021

Contractor license bonds protect the public from financial harm resulting from violations of licensing law committed by the contractor and their employees.

The District of Columbia requires contractors to obtain specific surety bonds correlating with their license type. We have compiled comprehensive guides on these bonds to assist insurance agents in obtaining DC contractor license bonds for their customers. Below are all of the contractor licensing bonds required by the District of Columbia:

• DC Master Plumber/Gas Fitter

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: $5,000
  • Who Needs It: All master plumbers/gas fitters operating in the District of Columbia

• DC Plumbing/Gas Fitting Contractor

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: $5,000
  • Who Needs It: All plumbing/gas fitting contractors operating in the District of Columbia

• DC Master Electrician

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: 
    • $1,000 for low voltage master electricians (49 volts or below)
    • $2,000 for regular voltage master electricians (50 volts or higher)
  • Who Needs It: All individuals seeking to obtain a master electrician or master electrician specialist license in the District of Columbia

• DC Electrical Contractor

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount:
    • $2,000 for low voltage electrical contractors (49 volts or below)
    • $4,000 for regular voltage electrical contractors (50 volts or higher)
  • Who Needs It: All electrical contractors operating in the District of Columbia

• DC Master Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: $5,000
  • Who Needs It: All individuals seeking to obtain a master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic license in the District of Columbia

• DC Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractor

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: $5,000
  • Who Needs It: All refrigeration and air conditioning contractors operating in the District of Columbia

• DC Elevator Contractor

  • Average Cost: $175 for the required two year period
  • Bond Amount: $4,000
  • Who Needs It: All elevator contractors operating in the District of Columbia

• DC Home Improvement

  • Average Cost: $500 – $5,000 for a two year term, based on the contractor’s credit standing
  • Bond Amount: $25,000
  • Who Needs It: All individuals and businesses that act as home improvement contractors in the District of Columbia

How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Surety Bond for Their Customer?

BondExchange makes obtaining a surety bond easy. Simply login to your account and use our keyword search to find the “contractor” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Enroll now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone (800) 438-1162, email or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.

At BondExchange, our 40 years of experience, leading technology, and access to markets ensures that we have the knowledge and resources to provide your clients with fast and friendly service whether obtaining quotes or issuing bonds.

What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Contractors in DC?

DC requires home improvement contractors to obtain liability insurance. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue any form of insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. A list of brokers in this space can be found here.