Principal
Full legal name of the contractor responsible for performance and payment on the bonded project.
Payment bonds protect subcontractors and suppliers by creating a contractual remedy against a surety when the prime contractor fails to pay. For owners, bonds shift financial risk away from the project and are often required by statute or contract on public projects.
The following parties are most often involved in preparing, signing, or receiving a payment bond.
Each party has specific responsibilities: contractors request bonding, sureties approve and issue, and owners rely on the bond for payment protection.
Full legal name of the contractor responsible for performance and payment on the bonded project.
Name of the surety company issuing the bond and, when required, the surety’s license or NAIC identifier.
Project owner or public entity entitled to require bond performance under the construction contract.
Total penal sum (often a percentage of contract value), stated in dollars and matching the contract or statute.
Start date and expiration or termination conditions; include the date of substantial completion if relevant.
Clear steps for filing a claim, required notices, documentation, and any statutory timelines affecting remedies.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Order | Principal -> Surety Agent -> Notary -> Obligee (if required) |
| Authentication | Email link with optional SMS code or ID verification for surety signers |
| Conditional Fields | Show notarization block only when the obligee/state requires it |
| Storage | Save signed bond PDF and audit trail to contract folder in enterprise repository |
Choose a platform that supports secure e-signatures, audit trails, and file export in standard formats.
Ensure the platform maintains tamper-evident PDFs, a complete audit trail, and the ability to export signed records for compliance or dispute resolution.
Request bonding during pre-award or immediately upon contract award
Allow several business days for underwriting and issuance depending on complexity
Deliver executed bond per contract — often before mobilization or before final acceptance
Follow contract and bond claim notice periods; these vary by contract and state
Archive signed bond and audit trail promptly after execution
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day free trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |