South Carolina Contractor License Bond

In South Carolina, contractors must show evidence of a South Carolina Contractor License Bond to get their state license. The bond ensures contractors adequately provide construction work that abides by South Carolina contractor laws. It also compensates South Carolina public members should they encounter a contractor that causes them financial harm by doing improper work.

How Much Does a South Carolina Contractor License Bond Cost?

Explore our table below and easily find your South Carolina Contractor License Bond. We have a range of options available.

Bond Type	Bond Amount + Pricing
Residential Specialty Contractor Bond	$5,000, starting at $90
Residential Electrical Contractor Bond	$5,000, starting at $90
Residential HVAC Contractor Bond	$5,000, starting at $90
Residential Plumbing Contractor Bond	$5,000, starting at $90
Residential Builder Contractor Bond	$15,000, starting at $90
General Contractor License Bond Group 1 General Contractor	$20,000, starting at $180
General Contractor License Bond Group 2 General Contractor	$60,000, starting at $540
General Contractor License Bond Group 3 General Contractor	$150,000, starting at $1350
General Contractor License Bond Group 4 General Contractor	$250,000, starting at $2250
General Contractor License Bond Group 5 General Contractor	$350,000, starting at $3150
Mechanical Contractor License Bond Group 1 Mechanical Contractor	$7,000, starting at $90
Mechanical Contractor License Bond Group 2 Mechanical Contractor	$15,000, starting at $135
Mechanical Contractor License Bond Group 3 Mechanical Contractor	$30,000, starting at $270
Mechanical Contractor License Bond Group 4 Mechanical Contractor	$60,000, starting at $1260
Mechanical Contractor License Bond Group 5 Mechanical Contractor	$300,000, starting at $2700
City of Dillon Contractor Bond	$5,000, starting at $90
City of Forest Acres Contractor Bond	$2,000, starting at $90
City of North Augusta Contractor Bond	$1,000, starting at $90
Town of Surfside Beach Contractor Bond	$1,000, starting at $45
City of Columbia Demolition Contractor Bond (multi-family and commercial structures)	$15,000, starting at $90
City of Columbia Demolition Contractor Bond (one and two-family residential structures)	$5,000, starting $90

FAQs

What Contractors are Required to be Licensed in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, there are three categories of contractors who must secure a South Carolina contractor license:

General and Mechanical contractors
Residential and Specialty contractors
Contractors operating in Dillon, Forest Acres, North Augusta, Town of Surfside Beach, and City of Columbia (as a demolition contractor)

If you fall into one or more of the above categories, you must be licensed and bonded.

Who Regulates Licensing for Contractors in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board, under the Department of Labor Licensing Regulation, manages and enforces licensing and bonding requirements for general and mechanical contractors in South Carolina. You can reach them at (803) 896-4300 daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Residential Builders Commission regulates residential and specialty contractors in South Carolina under the Department of Labor Licensing Regulation. You can reach them at (803) 896-4300 daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or email Contact.RBC@llr.sc.gov.

Mailing Address (same for both):

Synergy Business Park
Kingstree Building
110 Centerview Dr.
Columbia, South Carolina 29210

What are general and mechanical contractors?

According to the South Carolina Code of Laws 40-11-410, individuals involved in construction projects exceeding $10,000 must obtain a South Carolina General or Mechanical Contractor's license.

General contractor allows a person to carry out jobs in the following areas:

Building construction, including:

Boring and tunneling
Concrete
Interior renovation
Marine
Masonry
Railroad lines
General roofing
Specialty roofing
Structural framing

Highway, including:

Asphalt paving
Concrete paving
Bridges
Grading
Highway incidental

Public Utilities, including:

Pipelines
Water and sewer lines
Water and sewer plants

On the other hand, a mechanical contractor license allows a person to do jobs related to:

Heating
Air conditioning
Plumbing
Electrical
Refrigeration
Lightning protection systems
Pressure and process piping
Packaged equipment

How to Get a General Contractor/Mechanical Contractor License in South Carolina

Applicants utilize the same contractor application to become a general contractor or mechanical contractor in South Carolina. You must submit the following documents alongside a completed contractor application to successfully obtain a general contractor or mechanical contractor license in South Carolina:

License fee of $35
Certificate of good standing to conduct business in SC from the SC Secretary of State
South Carolina contractor license bond with the correct bond amount (explained in next question)

Completed applications may be submitted by email to contact.clb@llr.sc.gov or mailed to:

Board at PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211

How to determine bond amount for general/mechanical contractors in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a Contractor License Bond is required, and its amount depends on your chosen Group Limit, which would set your bid limitation and working capital. The bond amount increases for groups with higher limits. You should pick the group that matches the nature of your business.

What are Residential and Specialty Contractors

In South Carolina, contractors engaged in construction work related to residential buildings must adhere to specific criteria. These criteria include the building being no more than three stories in height and having no more than sixteen units within a single apartment building.

Four distinct types of residential contractors can be applied for in South Carolina:

Residential Builder
Residential Electrical Contractor
Residential HVAC Contractor
Residential Plumbing Contractor

In South Carolina, residential specialty contracting entails undertaking projects that exceed $500 and may encompass up to three of the following classifications:

Vinyl/Aluminum Siding
Floor Covering
Carpenter
Insulation Installer
Masonry
Stucco Installer
Roofing
Drywall Installer
Painter/Wallpaper
Solar Panel Installer

How to Get a Residential Contractor License in South Carolina

As mentioned earlier, four distinct types of residential contractors can be applied in South Carolina.

Residential Builder
Residential Electrical Contractor
Residential HVAC Contractor
Residential Plumbing Contractor

To be successful in obtaining the residential contractor license in South Carolina, the individual must submit the following documents alongside the completed application:

A copy of your Driver’s License, State Issued ID, Passport or Military ID
A copy of your Social Security card
Completed and notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form (included in the application)
Copies of W2s or 1099’s from the employer who will fill out your affidavit of experience.
Certifications, transcripts, resumes, and any other supporting documentation of work experience in the trade applied for.
A South Carolina Contractor License Bond of $5,000 (except for Residential Builder, which is $15,000)
Registration fee of $135
An additional fee of $220 applies if the registration application is submitted between July 1 of an odd-numbered year and June 30 of an even-numbered year. Alternatively, a fee of $110 is applicable if the registration application is received between July 1 of an even-numbered year and June 30 of an odd-numbered year.

Applications are to be mailed to the following address:

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329.

How to Get a Specialty Contractor License in South Carolina

The documents required to obtain a Residential Specialty Contractor License in South Carolina are as follows:

Fill out the entire Residential Specialty Contractor License Application. Incomplete applications will result in a deficiency letter being mailed to you and a delay in processing your application.
A copy of your Driver’s License, State Issued ID, Passport or Military ID
A copy of your Social Security card
Completed and notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form (included in the application)
Three letters of reference from individuals other than family members are required.
A South Carolina Contractor License Bond of $5,000
A registration fee of $30
An additional fee of $100 applies if the registration application is submitted between July 1 of an odd-numbered year and June 30 of an even-numbered year. Alternatively, a fee of $50 is applicable if the registration application is received between July 1 of an even-numbered year and June 30 of an odd-numbered year.

Applications are to be mailed to the following address:

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329

Are There Penalties for Unlicensed Contractor Work in South Carolina?

Yes, there are penalties for individuals who engage in contractor work without the necessary license in South Carolina. Those contractors who undertake work without the proper license may face initial fines of up to $250 for their first offense. However, a subsequent offense can result in more severe consequences, the case being referred to the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board for further action.