What is the City of Cleveland Contractor’s License Bond?
The City of Cleveland Contractor’s License Bond (also called a CLB) is a surety bond required as part of the contractor license application for the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. The city requires this bond to guarantee that the licensed contractor will adhere to all relevant state and city regulations when operating
A contractor’s failure to complete the work as established by their contract or adhere to local licensing laws may result in injury to someone (e.g., a homeowner). In such a case, the injured party can file a claim against the contractor’s bond and the surety will investigate the claim to determine its validity. If the surety finds the contractor is at fault, the injured party is entitled to damages up to the bond amount of $25,000. The principal (the contractor) is ultimately responsible for reimbursing the surety for all valid claims that get paid out, plus additional fees and expenses incurred by the surety.
The bond ensures that licensed contractors perform competently at all project stages. For more information about how bonds work, check out our guide on surety bonds.
Who has to get this bond?
Contractors looking to work in Cleveland, Ohio, must obtain a contractor license bond as part of the licensing process. The following contractor types are required to obtain a Cleveland Contractor License Bond:
- General contractors (1, 2, and 3 Family Dwellings and Commercial Structures)
- Electrical contractors
- HVAC/heating/cooling contractors
- Plumbing contractors
Cleveland is not the only municipality in Ohio that requires a surety bond. Some cities and counties in Ohio that require contractors to post surety bonds at the local level include:
- City of Avon
- City of Bedford
- City of Cleveland
- City of Columbus
- City of Cincinnati
- Summit County
- Fairfield County
Since contractor license and bonding requirements vary depending on the city, county, and state, be sure to contact your local governmental regulatory agency to determine if you need a license and bond. If you need a CLB for another city or county in Ohio, find it here. You may also need a separate license and bond at the state level before you can legally operate.
How much does a City of Cleveland Contractor’s License Bond cost?
The Cleveland, Ohio Contractor License Bond has a required bond amount of $25,000. However, this is not the amount you’ll need to pay for your bond. For a premium of only $125, you can purchase this bond online instantly through EZ Surety Bonds with no credit check required!
Obligee Information
Surety bonds are required by something called an obligee, which in this case, is the City of Cleveland Department of Building and Housing. Their contact information is as follows:
Department of Building and Housing
601 Lakeside Ave E # 505
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: +1 216-664-2282
How to Get a City of Cleveland Contractor’s License Bond
With EZ Surety Bonds, getting your Cleveland, Ohio Contractor License Bond is fast and easy. Simply fill out the form on our website and pay for your bond.
If you still have questions, we encourage you to reach out. Contact our friendly surety experts at info@ezsuretybonds.com or 1-866-546-4605 if you have any questions.
Frequently asked questions
Contractors who wish to operate in Cleveland, Ohio, need to submit the following forms to get their city license:
● City of Cleveland contractor registration form for the appropriate license type
● A $25,000 Cleveland Contractor License Bond
● A Certificate of Insurance
● An Authorized Agent Listing
Above is just a brief list of the forms required for the contractor license application. Further requirements may exist depending on the type of license you apply for.
The City of Cleveland CLB requires a $25,000 bond amount. However, this is not the amount you pay to get bonded. By filling out the short form on our website, you can easily purchase this bond online for only $125 without a credit check.
After buying your contractor license bond, you will receive the original bond in the mail. Make sure to file your bond with the obligee according to their filing requirements. Some obligees allow electronic copies, while others require you to mail them the original bond. City, county, and state requirements often vary, so check with the obligee before filing your bond.
