Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Bond
What it is & who requires it
Any business obtaining a Dwelling Contractor (or Restricted) certification — required to pull a building permit for one- and two-family dwellings.
Obligee: State of Wisconsin / Department of Safety and Professional Services. Citation: Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)(a)1. and 101.654(2m); SPS 305.31; DSPS form #3096.
Bond amount
Surety bond of not less than $5,000. A bond under $25,000 limits the holder to a Dwelling Contractor - Restricted certification (work capped at the bond amount); full certification practically uses a bond of at least $25,000. The bond is OPTIONAL — an applicant may instead carry $250,000-per-occurrence general liability insurance.
How to get it
This bond issues online — get bonded through our portal, usually in a single sitting once you confirm the bond, amount, and obligee.
Term & renewal
Term: Tied to the certification period; cancellable only on 30 days’ written notice to DSPS
Renewal: Continuous proof of financial responsibility; replacement bond/insurance filed within the 30-day notice window
Filing
Filed with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services on form #3096 and tied to your certification period, cancellable only on 30 days’ written notice. Required under Wis. Stat. 101.654(2) and SPS 305.31; the bond is executed in the name of the state for the benefit of any injured person, and an applicant may instead carry general liability insurance. Keep continuous proof of financial responsibility, filing any replacement within the 30-day notice window.
Source
Verified against the obligee source (last checked 2026-06-06).
Related Wisconsin bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Bond?
- It’s required by State of Wisconsin / Department of Safety and Professional Services (Wis. Stat. 101.654(2)(a)1. and 101.654(2m); SPS 305.31; DSPS form #3096). Any business obtaining a Dwelling Contractor (or Restricted) certification — required to pull a building permit for one- and two-family dwellings.
- How much is the Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Bond?
- Surety bond of not less than $5,000. A bond under $25,000 limits the holder to a Dwelling Contractor - Restricted certification (work capped at the bond amount); full certification practically uses a bond of at least $25,000. The bond is OPTIONAL — an applicant may instead carry $250,000-per-occurrence general liability insurance.
- How do I get the Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Bond?
- This bond issues online — get bonded through our portal, usually in a single sitting once you confirm the bond, amount, and obligee.
- What is the term?
- Tied to the certification period; cancellable only on 30 days’ written notice to DSPS Renewal: Continuous proof of financial responsibility; replacement bond/insurance filed within the 30-day notice window
- 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?
- We verify it against the obligee’s primary source (last checked 2026-06-06); the source link is on this page.
