A construction bond is a type of surety bond. A surety bond is a three-party contract that includes the surety (company that guarantees performance); the principal (contractor); and the obligee (owner). The Principal promises to perform its contract obligations to the obligee (owner), and the surety guarantees the principal’s performance of its obligations by paying the obligee if the principal fails to meet its obligations. Surety bonds used in construction are called contract surety bonds.

There are 3 types of contract surety bonds:

1. Bid Bond. A bid bond provides financial protection to an obligee (owner) if a bidder is awarded a contract based on bid documents, but fails to sign the contract and provide the required performance and payment bonds. The bid bond helps screen out unqualified bidders and is an important part of the competitive bidding process on some construction projects.

2. Performance Bond. A performance bond protects the obligee (owner) from financial losses if the contractor fails to perform the construction contract according to its terms. If the obligee (owner) declares the principal (contractor) in default and terminates the construction contract, the obligee can demand the surety meet the surety’s obligations under the terms of the bond.

3. Payment Bond. A payment bond guarantees the contractor’s payment of subcontractors and material suppliers.

In Washington State, construction bonds are a critical component of the construction industry, serving as a financial safety net for project owners (obligees). These bonds are a form of surety bond, which is a three-party agreement involving the surety (the company providing the bond), the principal (the contractor), and the obligee (the project owner). The principal is obligated to fulfill the terms of the construction contract, and the surety ensures this performance by compensating the obligee if the principal fails to meet their contractual obligations. There are three main types of contract surety bonds used in Washington: (1) Bid Bonds, which ensure that a contractor will enter into a contract if their bid is accepted; (2) Performance Bonds, which protect the obligee from losses if the contractor does not perform as per the contract; and (3) Payment Bonds, which ensure that subcontractors and suppliers are paid by the contractor. These bonds are often required by law for public construction projects in Washington, and they may also be used in private projects to mitigate risk.