Declined, capped, or non-renewed. Still bondable.

What “hard-to-place” actually means

It means the standard market passed. It does not mean you cannot bid public work. It means we look for a surety that still writes your class of work, at a rate and capacity you can live with.

Common files: prior decline or non-renewal, short working capital, personal credit problems, a loss on a job, new ownership, or a sudden jump in work-on-hand.

What we need to try

The same things a standard underwriter wants — application, work-on-hand, financials — plus an honest account of why the last shop said no. Hiding the decline wastes a week.

We will tell you if we see a market. We will also tell you if we do not. A straight no is faster than another ghosted application.

Rate will likely be higher

Specialty markets charge more than a clean Treasury-listed program. The trade is getting on the bid list at all. If we can move you back toward a standard rate later, we will. First job is a bond you can bid with.