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City of Houston building mover bonds.
$100 flat.

The City of Houston requires a $3,500 bond as a condition of its building mover permit — for anyone moving a structure within city limits. Ours is $100 flat — set by our carrier's rate book for this bond, the same for every mover. The bond issues the moment you pay — no credit check.

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Required for a City of Houston building / house mover permit — moving structures within the city
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Fixed amount, fixed price — $3,500 bond, $100, no quote process
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Multi-year terms available — set it up once for ongoing moving work
A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantunderwriting process1–3 yrterms available
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

Permit bonds are the simplest thing in surety. Here's the entire process:

NOW · ONLINE

Apply online

Business details and an effective date. That is the application. No credit check.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Pay & e-sign

Permit bonds like this are among the thousands of bond types that issue right after purchase.

SAME DAY

File with the Houston Permitting Center

Your executed bond and power of attorney arrive by email, ready to submit with your building / house mover permit application. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

The City of Houston requires anyone moving a building or structure within the city to hold a building mover permit, conditioned on a $3,500 surety bond. The bond is a public-property guarantee: it stands behind your compliance with the City's house-moving rules and protects city streets, utilities, and infrastructure during the move.

It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier standing behind you, and the City of Houston (the obligee). If a mover damages public property or violates the moving permit terms, the City can recover against the bond.

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays the City, you repay the surety. Movers who plan the route and follow the permit treat the bond as a permit formality, not a risk.

City of Houston building / house mover permitThe City of Houston requires a $3,500 surety bond as a condition of its building mover permit, administered by the Houston Permitting Center (Houston Public Works) under the City's house-moving provisions. The bond guarantees the mover's compliance with the permit and protects public property during the move; confirm the current bond amount and filing requirements with the Houston Permitting Center.

You need this bond if you're

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A house- or building-moving company relocating a structure within Houston city limits
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Applying for a Houston building mover permit through the Houston Permitting Center
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Moving a commercial or residential structure over city streets
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Renewing your mover permit and your current bond is expiring
After you buy

Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.

If a claim is made

A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.

The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the $3,500 bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.

Renewal and term

The premium covers a one-year term from the effective date you choose; a longer term is the same price per year, chosen at checkout.

Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.

How to file it

File with the Houston Permitting Center. Your executed bond and power of attorney arrive by email, ready to submit with your building / house mover permit application. Wet-ink original mailed on request.

What sets the price

The premium is fixed at $100 at the $3,500 amount for every applicant: the carrier’s rate book prices this bond by the form, not by your credit or your business profile.

No credit check.

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual issuing fields. No credit check.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the City of Houston building mover bond?The premium is $100 flat — set by our carrier's rate book for this bond, the same for every mover. The $3,500 bond amount is set by the City.
Do I pay the $3,500?No. You pay $100. The $3,500 is the surety's maximum liability to the City — not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.
Why is the price fixed instead of a percentage?The $100 price you see is the checkout price — our carrier's rate book sets the premium for this specific bond directly. Same number for every mover.
Is there a credit check?No credit check: the application collects no credit information. Most small fixed-amount permit bonds like this one issue instantly.
Is this the same as the $10,000 house mover registration?No. Houston also has a separate $10,000 house mover registration with the House Moving Section. This is the $3,500 building mover permit bond. If you were asked for a different amount, send us the request and we will issue the right one.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related bonds

Other Texas bonds.

Been told you need a different amount?

Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .

Your Houston mover permit is waiting on one document.

$100 flat, no credit check, bond often issued in the same sitting. Free until issued.

Your price$100
Apply now →