Overview — J.M. Wilson Corp. Subcontractor Bid & Performance Bonds
J.M. Wilson Corp. offers subcontractor bid, payment and performance bond placement for independent agents and brokers. Our program helps general contractors and project owners obtain assurance that a subcontractor will honor the bid, perform the contract if awarded, and pay labor and materials. We place business through a mix of admitted and non-admitted surety markets and work with carriers that hold "A" ratings.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program targets subcontractors who need to "bond back" to a general contractor or owner. Typical fits include small to mid-sized specialty contractors who regularly bid on public or private projects and require:
- Bid bonds (commonly 5–10% of the bid)
- Performance and payment bonds (frequently 100% of the contract amount)
Examples of subcontractor classes we commonly place:
- Electricians
- HVAC contractors
- Excavation and sitework contractors
- Painters and finish trades
- Roofers
- Landscapers and site contractors
You may also submit hybrid packages for contractors with mixed scopes; we review each submission for capacity and underwriting requirements.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Bid Bonds — guarantee the contractor will accept the contract if awarded as the low bidder.
- Performance Bonds — guarantee contract performance to the obligee.
- Payment Bonds — guarantee payment for labor and materials.
- Maintenance and subcontract bonds available where required.
- Competitive pricing within industry standards and access to both admitted and excess & surplus markets.
J.M. Wilson offers quick quote turnaround and will typically respond to new account submissions within 24–48 hours. We also accept submissions from other surety relationships for review when appropriate.
Underwriting Notes & Items Needed
To expedite placement, provide the following where possible:
- Last 2–3 fiscal year-end financial statements for the business
- Current personal financial statements for all owners
- Completed contractor surety questionnaire
- Current schedule of work on hand
- Bank reference letter indicating established lines
- Owner resumes and key personnel qualifications
- Job reference letters
- Current certificate of insurance
Underwriting will review financial strength, backlog, project size, references, and prior surety experience. Bond capacity and pricing vary by carrier and account specifics.
Minimum Premiums, Markets & Territories
Minimum premiums vary by carrier and state; please submit the full account package for an accurate quote. J.M. Wilson represents a number of carriers, both admitted and non-admitted, and places bonds through "A" rated surety markets.
Available in: AL, AK, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY.
Why Work With J.M. Wilson Corp. on Subcontractor Bonds
As a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines broker with specialized surety relationships, J.M. Wilson provides:
- Access to multiple admitted and non-admitted surety markets
- Fast response times and underwriting guidance for agents
- Experience placing bid, performance, payment and maintenance bonds
- Flexibility to consider submissions from producers' own surety partners
Two sample scenarios where this program is a good fit:
- You have a subcontractor client bidding a $250,000 interior renovation who needs a 5% bid bond and a performance/payment bond if awarded.
- You represent a roofing contractor with several municipal bids on the radar and limited prior bonding history; we can evaluate capacity and provide a placement strategy.
For more details or to submit a new account, prepare the underwriting items above and expect a timely response from our surety team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of subcontractor accounts are a good fit for J.M. Wilson's bond program?
Small to mid-sized specialty subcontractors who bid on public or private work and need bid, performance or payment bonds are the primary fit. We place electricians, HVAC, roofers, excavators, painters, landscapers and similar trades.
How long does it take to get a quote or decision?
J.M. Wilson aims to respond to new submissions within 24–48 hours. Complete financials and supporting documents help speed underwriting and bonding decisions.
Do you place bonds through admitted carriers?
Yes. We represent multiple carriers and place bonds through both admitted and non-admitted surety markets. All primary J.M. Wilson surety markets used for this program carry an "A" rating.
What documentation should I submit to get started?
Typical submission items include 2–3 years of business financial statements, personal financial statements for owners, a completed contractor surety questionnaire, schedule of work on hand, bank reference letter, owner resumes, job references and current COI.
Are there typical bond sizes or limits you can handle?
Bond size and capacity depend on the contractor's financials, experience and the carrier's appetite. Bid bonds are commonly 5–10% of the bid and payment/performance bonds are often written at 100% of the contract amount. Submit the full account for a realistic assessment of capacity.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.