Completion bond
A completion bond, also known completion guarantee is a type of surety bond issued by an insurance company or a bank to guarantee satisfactory completion of a project by a contractor according to the terms and conditions of the contract. If the contractor fails to do so, the bond provides financial protection to the client (usually the project owner). If the contractor defaults or fails to complete the project, the bond issuer (the surety) steps in to cover the costs needed to complete the project, up to the bond amount. This caan help maintain trust and stability in the industry, ensuring that projects are completed as agreed and financial risks are managed effectively.
The contractor applies for the bond through a surety company, providing financial statements, project details, and other necessary documentation. The surety evaluates the contractor’s ability to complete the project, including their financial stability, experience, and track record. If approved, the surety issues the bond, usually for a fee or premium paid by the contractor.
If the contractor fails to meet the contractual obligations, the project owner can file a claim against the bond. The surety investigates the claim to determine its validity. If the claim is valid, the surety may provide financial compensation or arrange for the completion of the project through another contractor.
For project owners, completion bonds mitigate the risk of contractor default, ensuring project completion or financial compensation. For contractors, having a completion bond can enhance credibility and trust with clients, demonstrating financial stability and reliability. In some cases, particularly for public projects, obtaining a completion bond may be a legal requirement.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Industry Competence Steering Group restructure
ICSG transitions to the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) under the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Principal Contractor Competency Certification Scheme
CIOB PCCCS competence framework for Principal Contractors.
The CIAT Principal Designer register
Issues explained via a series of FAQs.
Conservation in the age of the fourth (digital) industrial revolution.
Shaping the future of heritage
Embracing the evolution of economic thinking.
Ministers to unleash biggest building boom in half a century
50 major infrastructure projects, 5 billion for housing and 1.5 million homes.
RIBA Principal Designer Practice Note published
With key descriptions, best practice examples and FAQs, with supporting template resources.
Electrical businesses brace for project delays in 2025
BEB survey reveals over half worried about impact of delays.
Accelerating the remediation of buildings with unsafe cladding in England
The government publishes its Remediation Acceleration Plan.
Airtightness in raised access plenum floors
New testing guidance from BSRIA out now.
Picking up the hard hat on site or not
Common factors preventing workers using head protection and how to solve them.
Building trust with customers through endorsed trades
Commitment to quality demonstrated through government endorsed scheme.
New guidance for preparing structural submissions for Gateways 2 and 3
Published by the The Institution of Structural Engineers.
CIOB launches global mental health survey
To address the silent mental health crisis in construction.
New categories in sustainability, health and safety, and emerging talent.
Key takeaways from the BSRIA Briefing 2024
Not just waiting for Net Zero, but driving it.