Secrets of Bonding: "The Call"

A couple of times every week we talk to a new contractor who wants to get their bond account set up for the first time. Here's how it always goes:

• Contractor: We want to go after bonded projects but we've never had bonds before. What's involved?
• Bond Expert: OK Hi! Who am I speaking to?

• Contractor: Uh, I'm Humphrey.
• Bond Expert: All right Humphrey, can we start by asking you a few questions? What is the size and nature of the work you intend to pursue?

Scenario #1 (Pursuing contracts up to $350,000)

• Contractor: We have performed residential and light commercial work. We want to go after general construction contracts up to about $250,000.
• Bond Expert: Great! Tell me the ownership and structure of your company.

• Contractor: The company is an LLC owned by me and my partner Bogart.
• Bond Expert: Are you both married?
• Contractor: Yes, but not to each other.

• Bond Expert: We have a very easy program that may be a perfect starting point for you. To be eligible, the owners and spouses must have good personal credit reports. Are the reports favorable?
• Contractor: Yes.

• Bond Expert: There are some other criteria. For example, the program cannot be used for long-term contracts or difficult / unique construction. Needs to be plain vanilla. The good thing is that no financial statements or other documentation is needed, only a simple one page app. If this program fits your needs, you'll never find anything easier or faster!
• Bond Expert: Give me your email address and we'll send you the one page app. We can probably get you pre-qualified within 24 hours!

Scenario #2 (Pursuing contracts in excess of $350,000, or for applicants with low credit scores)

• Bond Expert: We have an excellent group of bonding companies, and even offer exclusive capacity not available from other sources. We find that most contractors are able to qualify for bonding if their account is developed properly. That's where our expertise (since 1972!) comes into play.
• Contractor: What info will be needed?
• Bond Expert: Getting approved for bonding is like applying for a bank loan. The same kind of financial and background info is needed. Your relationship with the surety is similar to banking and you promise to protect the surety from loss, just like signing a promissory note with a lender. That's why surety bonds are not insurance policies.

• Contractor: OK what's the next step and how much does it cost?
• Bond Expert: We don't charge for setting up your account! We'll send you an email with a list of items that are needed initially. Gather as much as you can and send over so we can get started. The process normally takes a week or two.

Conclusion
Have we oversimplified the process? Actually, no. It is easier than people assume to get their bond account arranged - when you know the ropes. That's our niche. We don't pretend to be good at everything, but we are experts at this!

Steve Golia is an experienced provider of bid and performance bonds for contractors. For more than 30 years he has specialized in solving bond problems for contractors, and helping them when others failed.
The experts at Bonding Pros have the underwriting talent and market access you need. This is coupled with spectacular service and great accessibility.
Contact us today and discuss how you start a new bonding relationship for your company, or increase your current bonding capacity. Call 856-304-7348.
Visit us Click!
Not available in all states including Idaho.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steven_Golia/152522

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9425812