Southern California Surety Bonds

Surety Bonds for Projects in Southern California – Experience You Can Trust

For contractors operating in Southern California, securing surety bonds is essential for expanding business and bidding on larger projects. A higher bonding capacity not only allows contractors to compete for public contracts but also serves as a competitive advantage to bid on projects that other contractors can’t obtain bonding for.

At Commercial Surety Bond Agency (CSBA), we specialize in helping California contractors increase their bonding capacity and secure the right surety bond solutions for projects in Southern California. We provide contractors access to over 35 admitted surety companies, including exclusive and semi-exclusive programs, to find the right surety program to fit your needs.

Our dedicated focus on surety bonds, deep industry expertise, and commitment to guiding clients toward success set us apart.

Why Choose CSBA for Southern California Surety Bonds?

At Commercial Surety Bond Agency (CSBA), we are a surety-only agency committed to helping contractors operating in Southern California succeed. With deep local expertise in the California surety market, we provide comprehensive support beyond just issuing a surety bond—we help contractors maximize their bonding capacity and strengthen their financial standing.

Each contractor has a unique financial profile, and at CSBA, we take a personalized approach, reviewing financial capacity with our clients and identifying untapped resources to enhance their bonding potential. With over 225 years of combined surety experience, CSBA is more than a bond agent—we are a trusted advisor dedicated to helping California contractors build a strong financial foundation and secure more opportunities.

From there, we provide the following services:

Optimizing Bonding Capacity

Based on financial standing and growth potential

Business Growth Strategies

Tailored to contractors in Southern California

Financial Reporting and Accounting System Setup

To improve the creditworthiness of the client

Types of Construction Bonds We Provide

As your local, trusted surety bond agent, CSBA provides surety bonds and bonding programs to give contractors a competitive advantage in growing their companies and taking on bigger project opportunities.

Bid Bonds

Bid bonds are required in order to submit a bid for most public projects. They guarantee that the contractor will enter into the contract if awarded and provide the required performance and payment bonds.

Performance Bonds

Once the contractor’s bid is accepted, the contractor then provides the owner with a performance bond guaranteeing they will complete the project according to the plans and specifications.

Payment Bonds

Payment bonds guarantee that the contractor will pay their subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers.

Grading Bonds

A grading bond is required for property owners and developers handling grading and excavation projects.

Subdivision Bonds

A subdivision bond guarantees that a project owner will finance and complete all mandatory public improvements required by local government agencies.

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A county map of California state.

Los Angeles County

Imperial County

San Diego County

Orange County

Southern California
Construction Bonding Requirements

Each county has specific bonding requirements for public projects, and we provide contractors with the guidance needed to secure bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds to pursue these projects.

Let’s get started with the requirements for securing bid bonds in the following Southern California counties:

Los Angeles County

  • LA County Bid Opportunities. Source
  • Grading Bond Instructions. Source
  • Bond agreement submittal checklist, performance bond forms, and labor and material bond for subdivision. Source

Imperial County

  • Public Works department has a list of projects out to bid and annual contractor bidders list. Source 

San Diego County

  • The City of San Diego bond requirements depend on the contract awarded, and may include but are not limited to Faithful Performance Bond, Payment Bond, and Warranty Bond. Source
  • San Diego bid opportunities. Source
  • San Diego has a prequalification program which requires submitting a bond letter showing the contractor’s bonding capacity. Source

Orange County

The CSBA Difference

We have access to special programs and insights, enabling us to provide unique resources that help to grow bonding capacity, as well as grow your company.

We help California contractors who bid on projects in Southern California grow their bonding capacity through our access to multiple surety markets and unique programs.

Experience rapid response times and personalized service from our experienced underwriters to increase your bond capacity for Southern California projects.

Surety Bond Application Process

Here is an overview of the surety bond application process.

Determine Which Bond Agency to Work With

Evaluate bonding agencies to determine the right agent for you. While some traditional insurance agents offer construction bonds, it’s best to select a bonding agency that specializes in construction bonds. Surety specialists will know the right information to gather, be able to provide expert guidance on positioning your company to maximize your surety credit, and they have relationships with the surety companies to match you with.

Talk with the Surety Agent about Your Business and Bonding Needs

It’s critical for a surety agent to take the time to understand your business and what it needs to grow so that they can help you prepare the proper bonding requirements and avoid delays during the bonding process.

Submit Preliminary Financial Information

Your surety agent will advise you on what financial and documentation to submit. The requirements will be different depending on the size of the bonds you need.

Matching with the Right Surety Provider

Your surety agency will choose the best surety provider that fits your needs before submitting the prepared information. The more surety providers the agent has access to, the more options they can find to fit your bonding needs.

Bond Approved!

Once your bond program is approved, your surety agent will communicate the specifics per project and total bonding capacity you have been approved for and the premium rate.

Our Southern California Team

Our Southern California surety bond experts have a combined 225 years of experience and help contractors confidently navigate the bonding process.

Unlike national bond agencies that operate across multiple states, our Southern California team provides you with local expertise to help you make informed financial decisions for your construction business. At CSBA, we are more than just a bond provider—we are a trusted local partner committed to the success of contractors operating in Southern California.

Success Stories

Dean Visosky Contractors was formed in 2015 as a union concrete subcontractor by partners, Joe Dean and Rick Visosky. “After I left my previous employer,...
Longtime industry veteran, Duane Pate, started Force Demolition, Inc. from his house in 2019 with some capital and a dream. Duane recalls, “I remember obsessing...
“I started my general contracting company in 2015.” Steve Buhler recalled. “I was doing mostly private work, but I wanted to get into public work...

California Locations

Southern California Office:
1411 N. Batavia St., Suite 201, Orange, CA 92867

Additional California Offices:

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FAQs

Most public construction projects in Southern California require surety bonds, including bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds. Private projects may also require them depending on the contract terms.

The approval process varies based on the bond type, size, and applicant qualifications. Surety bonds less than $1 million can often be approved within 24-48 hours, while larger bonds may require additional underwriting and more time.

Surety bond costs depend on bond type, amount, and applicant financials. Rates typically range from 0.5% to 3% of the bond amount for well-qualified applicants.

Surety companies evaluate credit score, financial strength, industry experience, and past project performance. Contractors with strong financials and a solid track record typically qualify for better rates and higher bonding capacity.

Yes! We offer surety bonds across all counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and more. Our team understands local requirements and helps contractors meet all municipal and state bonding needs.

Every contractor has different requirements depending on the project they wish to bid for. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs for the application process.

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