Bond and insurance by trade in South Carolina
Bond and insurance rules for electrical, plumbing, HVAC and roofing: check with SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR), SC Residential Builders Commission (LLR).
How much is the contractor bond in South Carolina?
No surety bond is required if you show the minimum net worth or working capital for your group on a financial statement. A surety bond in the amount of the required net worth can be used instead. General contractor bond amounts are $20,000 (Group 1), $60,000 (Group 2), $150,000 (Group 3), $250,000 (Group 4) and $350,000 (Group 5). Mechanical contractor bond amounts are $7,000, $15,000, $30,000, $60,000 and $300,000 for Groups 1 to 5.1
What general liability insurance does South Carolina require?
South Carolina does not require general or mechanical contractors to carry liability insurance as a condition of the Contractor's Licensing Board license; the licensing law (Title 40, Chapter 11) contains no insurance requirement. Many project owners and local governments require it separately.2
Can a South Carolina contractor be exempt from workers' comp?
Workers' compensation insurance is required if you regularly employ four or more employees in South Carolina. Employers with fewer than four employees (or a prior-year payroll under $3,000) are outside the Workers' Compensation Law.3
What is a certificate of insurance?
It's the one-page summary (usually an ACORD 25 form) a contractor's agent issues to show the policies, limits and dates in force. How to read and check one
Sources
- SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR): bond (llr.sc.gov, 2026-10-27)
- SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR): insurance (scstatehouse.gov, 2026-10-27)
- SC Contractors' Licensing Board (LLR): workers' comp (scstatehouse.gov, 2026-10-27)