Houston public works maintenance bonds.
From $125. Enter your amount.

The 1-year maintenance bond the City of Houston requires on an informal public works contract — it guarantees your work against defects for one year after the city accepts it. The bond amount tracks your contract; priced at 1.463% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, $125 minimum, confirmed via a quick soft pull that never affects your score.

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Required on City of Houston informal public works contracts — guarantees the work for one year after acceptance

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Amount tracks your contract value as the city directs — enter the figure on your contract

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From $125 — a quick soft credit check may apply, never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score

From $125priced at 1.463% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, $125 minimumSoft pullnever affects your scoreInstantissued the moment you pay

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How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

Your City of Houston contract is waiting on this maintenance bond. Here's the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount, the COH job number if you have one, a description of the work, and a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

WITHIN 48 HOURS

Reviewed & approved

Most clear quickly; if underwriting needs anything, you hear from an underwriter within 48 hours. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score.

1–2 BUSINESS DAYS

E-sign & file with the City of Houston

The original bond is mailed to the address you provide, signed by the principal, ready to file with the city's Public Works department. E-signed copy by email.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the maintenance bond actually covers

The City of Houston requires a 1-year maintenance bond on its informal public works contracts — the smaller contracts the city awards without the full formal bidding process. The bond guarantees your work against defects in materials and workmanship for one year after the city accepts the completed project.

It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier, and the City of Houston (the obligee). If a defect shows up in that one-year window and you don't repair it, the city can recover against the bond to make the work right.

It is not insurance for you — if the surety pays the city to correct a defect, you repay the surety. Contractors who build the work to spec rarely see a claim; the bond simply backs the one-year warranty the city requires.

City of Houston — Public Works (Informal Contract)The City of Houston requires a 1-year maintenance bond on its informal public works contracts; the bond amount and terms are set by the City of Houston's Public Works department on the contract. We have not cited a specific code section because the requirement is administered through the contract documents — confirm the required amount on your City of Houston contract, and we'll issue to match.

You need this bond if you are

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A contractor on a City of Houston informal public works contract that requires a maintenance bond

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Closing out a completed project that needs a 1-year maintenance bond before acceptance

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A paving, utility, or site contractor working under a COH job number

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A subcontractor the prime requires to post a maintenance bond on Houston work

One application, then mailed.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time soft credit pull and the mailing address for the original bond. Submit once and your bond is typically issued within 1–2 business days.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Houston public works maintenance bond?Pricing is 1.463% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, with a $125 minimum. The amount tracks your City of Houston contract value. Enter that figure at the application to see your exact price.

What does a maintenance bond guarantee?That your completed public works will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for one year after the City of Houston accepts the project. If a defect appears and you don't fix it, the city can claim against the bond.

What is an "informal contract"?It's a smaller City of Houston public works contract awarded without the full formal bidding process. The city still requires a 1-year maintenance bond on these to back the warranty period.

Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score. It informs approval, not price.

Do I get an original bond?Yes — the original is mailed to the address you provide for signature by the principal before you file it with the City of Houston. You also get an e-signed copy by email.

Related bonds

Other Texas bonds.

Houston maintenance bond, ready to file.

Priced from $125, soft pull only. Enter your contract amount and have the bond in 1–2 business days.

Start application

Your premiumfrom $125

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