Guides you step-by-step through the confusing world of surety bonding Obtaining performance bonds can be a long, arduous, frustrating process, fraught with obscure legalese and endless hoops for contractors to jump through. Contractors need all the help they can get in making sense of and navigating the confusing world of surety bonding. Unfortunately, most books on the subject are written for lawyers and provide little or no practical guidance for contractors. Written by a suretyship expert with more than three decades of experience working with contractors, this book fills that gap in the literature. In plain English, author Richard C. Lewis brings surety bonding down to earth for contractors. Covering all types of contracts and all forms of bonds, he walks you step-by-step through the entire bonding process. He introduces you to the various players involved and explains who is responsible for what. He carefully explains the rationale behind each step, the issues involved, when it is required, and how best to prepare for it. And, with the help of fascinating real-life case studies, Lewis describes common mistakes that can blow a deal and tells you how to avoid them. He also provides invaluable insights into underwriter psychology and shows you how to work with surety company representatives to resolve any spoken or unspoken objections they may have to providing you with the surety you need. Contract Suretyship is an indispensable tool of the trade for construction and contracting firm owners and managers.