It doesn't sound to me like it was a
performance bond. I would venture to guess it was a
contractor license bond, a type of
license and permit bond.
A
performance bond will guarantee a contract, while a license and permit bond is required by local and state governments to guarantee the
contractor operates per the terms of the rules of the license.
I can't say for certain whether either bond covers what you are looking to place a claim on, as more details are needed as to the bond type, the bond language, etc.