Iowa Building Mover Bond (General Use)
What it is & who requires it
House and building movers working in Iowa. This is the single most consistently bonded construction activity in the state — it turned up in eight of the seventeen cities read for this directory, more than any other trade — and it is also the one where carrying a figure between cities does the most damage, because the largest municipal mover bond found in Iowa is ten times the smallest. Two other things vary and both change what you buy. Some cities license the mover and hold one bond for the year; others bond the permit and expect a filing per move. And the scope threshold differs: one city applies its chapter only to a structure eight feet or more in width, which puts narrow loads outside the license entirely. Several cities combine moving with demolition or wrecking under one license and one bond, which is a real saving for a contractor who does both. Insurance runs alongside almost everywhere and is often the larger number of the two.
Obligee: Iowa cities licensing or permitting building and house movers. Citation: Des Moines Municipal Code § 102-999; Bettendorf City Code § 10-10-3; Waterloo Municipal Code § 9-11A-2(B); Cedar Falls Code of Ordinances § 7-276; West Des Moines Municipal Code § 3-9-6; Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.805; West Liberty City Code § 3-4-3; Fort Dodge Municipal Code § 14.51.020; Clive City Code § 4-5-4; Anamosa Code of Ordinances § 123.04; Altoona Code of Ordinances § 123.04; Oskaloosa Municipal Code § 5.12.050.
Bond amount
Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
How to get it
This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
Request a bond quote
Tell us about the bond and the project. A licensed producer follows up — these bonds are individually underwritten, so they are not issued instantly.
Term & renewal
Term: Filed with the license or permit application and held against the move; a few cities keep it with an annual license instead.
Renewal: Per permit in some cities, annually with a mover license in others.
Filing
Filed with the city clerk in most cities, with a building or community development department in some. Expect the bond to guarantee payment for damage to the city and to public property — streets, curbs, sidewalks, pavings — and in several cities to run to any person injured as well as to the city. Ask specifically whether the city’s ordinance states a sum or a minimum, because in this state that one word decides whether the amount you are quoted is the amount you will actually be asked for.
Source
This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources; Iowa cities licensing or permitting building and house movers sets the exact amount, which we confirm when you start your bond.
Related Iowa bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Iowa Building Mover Bond (General Use)?
- It’s required by Iowa cities licensing or permitting building and house movers (Des Moines Municipal Code § 102-999; Bettendorf City Code § 10-10-3; Waterloo Municipal Code § 9-11A-2(B); Cedar Falls Code of Ordinances § 7-276; West Des Moines Municipal Code § 3-9-6; Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.805; West Liberty City Code § 3-4-3; Fort Dodge Municipal Code § 14.51.020; Clive City Code § 4-5-4; Anamosa Code of Ordinances § 123.04; Altoona Code of Ordinances § 123.04; Oskaloosa Municipal Code § 5.12.050). House and building movers working in Iowa. This is the single most consistently bonded construction activity in the state — it turned up in eight of the seventeen cities read for this directory, more than any other trade — and it is also the one where carrying a figure between cities does the most damage, because the largest municipal mover bond found in Iowa is ten times the smallest. Two other things vary and both change what you buy. Some cities license the mover and hold one bond for the year; others bond the permit and expect a filing per move. And the scope threshold differs: one city applies its chapter only to a structure eight feet or more in width, which puts narrow loads outside the license entirely. Several cities combine moving with demolition or wrecking under one license and one bond, which is a real saving for a contractor who does both. Insurance runs alongside almost everywhere and is often the larger number of the two.
- How much is the Iowa Building Mover Bond (General Use)?
- Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
- How do I get the Iowa Building Mover Bond (General Use)?
- This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
- What is the term?
- Filed with the license or permit application and held against the move; a few cities keep it with an annual license instead. Renewal: Per permit in some cities, annually with a mover license in others.
- Is this bond insurance for me?
- No. It protects the obligee and the public — not you. If a valid claim is paid, you repay the surety.
- How is this requirement verified?
- This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources. The obligee sets the exact amount, which we confirm automatically when you start your bond in the portal or with a producer.
