By:  Mark A. Cobb

Making a payment bond claim (i.e., a claim against the surety bond) in Georgia may be difficult unless you realize that there are four different types of payment bonds and that each type of payment bond has its own requirements and its own statutes of limitations.

Payment Bonds Help You Get Paid on Georgia Projects

The construction industry is very unique and offers its material suppliers and subcontractors tremendous advantages to make sure that they receive payment for their services, labor and supplies.  But, in order to avail yourself of these advantages, you must strictly comply with each of the requirements and deadlines necessary to enforce your claim.

The Advantage to Being a Georgia Subcontractor or Supplier

In typical business situations, two parties contact with each other and, in the event of a breach of the contract, the offended party can only seek restitution from the breaching party.  As an example, let’s assume that ABC Construction, Inc. contracts with XYZ Roofing Corp. for the delivery of roofing tiles.  If the roofing tiles are delivered, but they are not paid for, Georgia contract law clearly allows XYZ Roofing Corp. to seek payment from ABC Construction, Inc.  And, in most business law situations (i.e., in non-construction claims), ABC Construction, Inc. would be XYZ Roofing Corp.’s sole avenue for recovery.

However, Georgia’s materialmen lien law and Federal and state payment bond statutes allow Georgia contractors and materialmen to also seek recovery from additional parties:  In the case of a lien claim, XYZ Roofing Corp can also seek recovery from the owner of the construction project, and in the case of a payment bond claim, XYZ Roofing Corp. can also seek recovery from the surety or insurance company backing the payment bond.

Four Different Types of Payment Bonds in Georgia

The advantage of seeking payment from parties other than those with whom you have a direct contractual relationship come with obligations from the potential payment bond claimant.  Because there are four significant types of payment bonds covering Georgia construction projects, each type of bond has its own distinct differences with differing requirements.

1.    Federal Public Works Bonds Under the Miller Act

Most Federal projects in Georgia are required to provide payment bonds to protect suppliers and subcontractors.  The Federal statute governing these bonds is commonly referred to as the Miller Act.  Currently, the Federal Miller Act does not require a preliminary notice (e.g., an NTO or a Notice of Furnishing).

2.    Georgia Public Works Bonds Under the Little Miller Act

Most construction projects owned by the State of Georgia require the general contractor to post a payment bond for the benefit of the project’s materialmen and subcontractors.  The Georgia State Statute governing these bonds and their claims is commonly referred to as Georgia’s Little Miller Act.  It is called this as many of the provisions in the Georgia Little Miller Act mirror the provisions of the Federal Miller Act.  However, there are significant differences which can abridge a subcontractor or supplier’s rights.  Unlike the Federal Miller Act, for example, Georgia’s Little Miller Act requires that those not in privity of contract with the prime contractor or the owner send a Notice to Owner and a Notice to Contractor within 30 days of the first day that the subcontractor or supplier begins working on the job.

3.    Georgia Municipality Public Works Bonds

Although there are many similarities between them, local municipalities in Georgia are governed by a different set of statutes that the State of Georgia’s Little Miller Act.  Nonetheless, most local government projects (e.g., school construction or renovation) are required to maintain a payment bond to protect the project’s contractors and material suppliers.

4.    Private Project Payment Bonds

The three preceding bond statutes require payment bonds on governmental projects.  Although not required by law, many private projects–particularly large projects–are also covered by bonds.  In these situations, potential bond claimants must meet the individual requirements of each bond in order to qualify as a claimant.  In these situations, it is vital to obtain a copy of the payment bond at the project’s beginning and then read and comply with each of its terms and deadlines.

The Payment Bond Terms May Expand Subcontractors Rights

Each of the first three categories of payment bonds in Georgia (Miller Act Bonds, Little Miller Act Bonds, and Municipal Construction Bonds) have minimum requirements established by their respective statutes.  However, the payment bond is also a contract between the governmental entity undertaking the work and its insurer; thus, the contract between them may be more expansive than the minimum requirements of the law.  It is possible, therefore, for a particular payment bond to grant more rights to a claimant, extend the deadlines, or include a class of potential bond claimants which might otherwise be excluded.  Therefore, every contractor and every supplier should review the terms of every payment bond under which they are working.

In the future, we intend to write a series of blog posts highlighting more details of each of the different types of payment bonds in Georgia.  In the meantime, if you are working on or providing materials to any Federal, state or municipal project in Georgia (or a private project with a payment bond) you need to consult with an experienced payment bond attorney who can help you understand your rights, protect and preserve your rights, and, if necessary, enforce your rights.

If you have any questions regarding any type of payment bonds in Georgia, please email us or call the payment bond claim lawyers at the Cobb Law Group toll free at 1-866-960-9539.