Similar to grading permit surety bonds, (click here for a refresher on the 3 parties of a surety bond, along with Grading Bonds 101), subdivision improvement bonds are a type of performance bond. They are required by municipalities to guaranty that public improvements associated with the development are completed such as street improvements, sidewalks, lights, curbs, gutters, drainage, etc. While these bonds sometimes have different names such as subdivision performance and payment bonds, offsite improvement bonds, or street improvement bonds, these bonds are generally the same in that they guaranty the terms and conditions of the subdivision agreement – the contract between the municipality and the developer (principal).
The amount of the bond is set by the obligee which is based on an engineer’s cost estimate of the subdivision improvements being bonded. When is there a claim? A claim on a subdivision bond can be filed against the surety if the developer (even if it’s the contractor fault) fails to complete the work according to the subdivision agreement. There is usually a labor & materials bond that accompanies these subdivision improvement bonds to protect subs and suppliers on the job.
Underwriting considerations:
For small projects such as a condo conversion or small multi-housing development, the required performance bonds are usually smaller and the surety needs less information. For larger developments that have bond requirements in excess of $50,000, the developer should be prepared to provide business and personal financials, a questionnaire highlighted his/her experience, along with the items and underwriting considerations listed above.
Contact us at contract@surety1.com for more information or to apply for a subdivision bond.