State-by-state retainage table
Maximum retainage on public and private contracts and the release timing for each state, with the statute we checked. 50 of 51 entries were confirmed from statute text; unverified entries are marked.
| State | Public contracts | Private contracts | Release timing | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5% of work done and stored materials; none withheld after 50% completion | 10%; no further retainage after 50% completion | Public: held until final completion and acceptance. Private: within 60 days of contractor work completion or substantial completion, whichever first§ 39-2-12 covers awarding authorities (public works). § 8-29-3 excludes PSC-regulated electric utility projects; sub retainage % cannot exceed owner's. | Ala. Code § 39-2-12Ala. Code § 8-29-3 |
| Alaska | No statutory cap found | No statutory cap found | Public: prime pays sub retainage within 8 working days after final payment from public owner (or AS 36.25.020(b) notice period, if later)No statutory % cap found. Public owner pays interest on retainage (§ 36.90.250, read in 1993 edition only). No private retainage statute found. | Alaska Stat. § 36.90.210Alaska Stat. § 36.90.250 |
| Arizona | 10% until 50% complete; then max 5% of later payments (half of retention released on request if progress satisfactory) | No statutory cap found | Public: within 60 days after completion/notice of completion. Private: within 7 days after release billing approved (deemed approved 14 days after receipt)Private: no % cap; owner may withhold 'a reasonable amount for retention'. Private section renumbered from 32-1129.01 to 32-1182 on azleg.gov. | A.R.S. § 34-221A.R.S. § 32-1182 (formerly § 32-1129.01) |
| Arkansas | 5%; agency may stop withholding at 50% complete if work satisfactory | No statutory cap found | Public: all retainage paid within 30 days after contract completion; partial release within 30 days on phased partial occupancyApplies where prime must post performance/payment bond. Bonded subs: 5%, none after 50% with contractor OK. None on stored materials. No private statute found. | Ark. Code Ann. § 22-9-604 |
| California | 5% of each payment and of contract price (higher only if project found 'substantially complex' before bid) | 5% for private contracts entered on/after Jan 1, 2026 (Civ. Code 8811) | Public: within 60 days of completion; prime pays subs in 7 days. Private: owner within 45 days of completion; prime pays subs in 10 daysPrivate 5% cap (SB 61) excludes non-mixed-use residential ≤4 stories and unbonded subs where bond required. 2%/month penalty for late release. | Cal. Pub. Cont. Code § 7201Cal. Pub. Cont. Code § 7107Cal. Civ. Code § 8811Cal. Civ. Code § 8812Cal. Civ. Code § 8814 |
| Colorado | 5% (public entity must pay at least 95% of completed work) | 5% of price of work completed | Public: final settlement within 60 days after satisfactory completion and final acceptance. Private: no statutory release deadline (contract governs)Public rule applies to contracts over $150,000. Private cap applies to contracts >= $150,000; excludes 1-4 unit residential (§ 38-46-102). | C.R.S. § 24-91-103C.R.S. § 38-46-103 |
| Connecticut | State agency: 7.5%, cut to 5% at 50% complete; DOT 2.5%; municipalities 5% | 5% of each progress payment | Private: within 30 days after certificate of final completion or written acceptance. State: reduction paid within 90 days of 50% application§ 49-41b applies to bonded public works. Private cap excludes public, HUD-funded, contracts of $25k or less, and residential of 4 or fewer units. | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 49-41bConn. Gen. Stat. § 42-158kConn. Gen. Stat. § 42-158i |
| Delaware | 5% | No statutory cap found | Public: agency may release 60% at completion; balance after reports, listed subs paid, and final payment authorizedState large public works contracts. DelDOT: 5% only for low-rated bidders, may drop to 2% at 50%. No private cap verified. | 29 Del. C. § 6962(d)(5) |
| District of Columbia | 10% until completion/acceptance; Mayor may reduce or waive after 50% complete | No statutory cap found | Public: held until completion/acceptance; excess may be released at substantial completion. Private: undisputed sums incl. retainage to subs in 7 days§ 2-203.01 is an old (1887/1968) statute; current DC procurement practice may differ. Private act counts retainage as undisputed amount; no private cap. | D.C. Code § 2-203.01D.C. Code § 27A-101D.C. Code § 27A-104 |
| Florida | 5% of each progress payment (state and local); contracts ≤ $200K exempt | No statutory cap found | Local govt: within 20 business days after punch list is created, pay balance incl. retainage less 150% of cost to complete open items5% cap from ch. 2023-134. Federally funded jobs with contrary rules exempt. State-agency punch-list release rule (s. 255.077) not checked. No private cap found. | Fla. Stat. § 255.078Fla. Stat. § 218.735 |
| Georgia | 5% of each progress payment (contracts on/after July 1, 2022) | No statutory cap found | Public: within 30 days after invoice at substantial completion (200% of open items held); prime pays subs within 10 days of receiptPublic rule excludes GDOT road contracts and contracts ≤ $250K or ≤ 45 days (2025). Private: retainage limited to contract % and sub % ≤ owner's %. | O.C.G.A. § 13-10-80O.C.G.A. § 13-11-5 |
| Hawaii | 5%; no further withholding after 50% complete if progress satisfactory | No statutory cap found | Public: on final payment, sub retainage paid within 10 days of contractor's receipt; earlier release on completion of sub work with bond/90 daysBonded subs: same % as prime; subcontracts may negotiate up to 10%. Retainage held by procurement officer. No private statute verified. | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 103-32.1Haw. Rev. Stat. § 103-10.5 |
| Idaho | 5% (where public body requires bond >50% of contract) | 5% of each payment and of contract price | Public: 30 days after acceptance of completed portions; subs within 30 days of subcontract completion. Private: 35 days after final completion; subs 10 daysPrivate 5% cap lifted if requested performance bond not given; not for owner-occupied 1-4 unit homes. Cut to ≤150% of remaining work at substantial completion. | Idaho Code § 54-1926(3)Idaho Code § 29-115 |
| Illinois | Bonded local-govt contracts: 10% until 50% complete, then reduce to 5% held | 10% until 50% complete, then reduce to 5% held | Not foundPublic cap applies where Bond Act bond required (>$150K local). P.A. 104-168 (eff. 6/1/2027) restricts State-agency retainage. Release timing not verified. | 30 ILCS 550/1 (Public Construction Bond Act)815 ILCS 603/20 (Contractor Prompt Payment Act) |
| Indiana | Owner elects: up to 6% until 50% complete then none, or up to 3% until substantial completion | No statutory cap found | Local public works: pay contractor within 61 days after substantial completion (200% of uncompleted minor items may be held)Caps cut from 10%/5% by HEA 1033 (eff. 7/1/2025). Local rule applies to contracts >$200k, excl. roads/bridges. Private cap not verified (sources conflict). | Ind. Code § 4-13.6-7-3Ind. Code § 36-1-12-14 |
| Iowa | 3% of each monthly payment (reduced from 5% eff. July 1, 2025) | No statutory cap found | Public: retained 30 days after completion and final acceptance, then released less 2x claims on filePrime may retain from subs lesser of 3% or subcontract amount. Public improvements only; no private retainage statute found. | Iowa Code § 573.12Iowa Code § 573.14 |
| Kansas | 5%; up to 10% if needed for performance or contractor behind/poor work | 5%; up to 10% if needed for performance or contractor behind/poor work | Within 30 days after substantial completion (public and private); 18%/yr interest if lateOwner may hold retainage for unfinished work until 30 days after it's done; ≤150% of incomplete work value. Public act scope exclusions not checked. | K.S.A. 16-1904K.S.A. 16-1804 |
| Kentucky | 10% until 50% complete; after 51% complete no more than 5% of total contract amount | Same as public: 10% until 50%, then max 5% (non-residential) | Within 30 days after substantial completion (less 200% of remaining work); contractor pays subs within 15 business daysFairness in Construction Act applies to public and private construction excluding residential; excludes KRS 278 utility facilities and RUS-funded contracts. | KRS 371.410KRS 371.425 |
| Louisiana | 10% of contract price if under $500k; 5% if $500k or more | No statutory cap found | Public: withheld until 45 days after recordation of formal acceptance (or notice of default)38:2248 punch-list rules do not apply to DOTD. Private prompt-pay statute 9:2784 sets payment timing but no retainage % cap. | La. R.S. 38:2248La. R.S. 9:2784 |
| Maine | 5% (state public improvements; may reduce at substantial completion) | No statutory cap found | Within 30 days after final acceptance of the work; contractor pays subs within 7 days after receiving retainage§ 1746: 5% mandatory on State public improvements. § 1116 sets release timing for construction contracts generally (excl. MaineDOT); no private cap. | 5 M.R.S. § 174610 M.R.S. § 1116 |
| Maryland | 5% of total contract (when 100% payment and performance bonds furnished) | 5% of contract price and of each payment (when 100% bonds furnished) | Public: within 120 days after satisfactory completion. Private: undisputed retention within 90 days after substantial completionCaps apply only if contractor furnished 100% bonds. § 13-225 covers state procurement; § 17-110 other public bodies. Private: contracts >= $100,000 only. | Md. Code, State Fin. & Proc. § 17-110Md. Code, State Fin. & Proc. § 13-225Md. Code, Real Prop. § 9-304 |
| Massachusetts | 5% of each approved periodic payment (public buildings) | 5% of any progress payment | Public: balance within 65 days after substantial completion. Private: apply 60 days after substantial completion; pay within 30 days (+7 days per lower tier)Private cap applies only to prime contracts >= $3M; excludes 1-4 unit residential. § 39K covers public building contracts; other public work may differ. | M.G.L. c. 30, § 39KM.G.L. c. 149, § 29F |
| Michigan | 10% of work in place until 50% in place; no additional retainage after unless unsatisfactory progress | No statutory cap found | Public: retainage plus interest released with the final progress payment; early release after 94% in place against a letter of creditPublic act excludes MDOT, school districts, colleges, MSHDA, and contracts < $30,000. No private retainage statute found (not exhaustively searched). | MCL 125.1563MCL 125.1561 (definitions) |
| Minnesota | 5% of each progress payment | 5% | All retainage within 60 days after substantial completion; contractor pays subs within 10 days of receiptNo retainage for warranty work. Revisor notes § 15.72 was affected by 2026 session law; check effective changes. | Minn. Stat. § 15.72Minn. Stat. § 337.10 |
| Mississippi | 5%; on contracts ≥$250k (and all subcontracts), 50% returned at 50% complete, then 2.5% | No statutory cap found | Public: final payment due within 45 days of substantial completion/beneficial use/certification (first to occur), else 1%/month interestExcludes MDOT Commission road/bridge contracts. Prime can't withhold a higher % from subs. Final payment needs surety consent. No private statute found. | Miss. Code Ann. § 31-5-33Miss. Code Ann. § 31-5-25 |
| Missouri | 5% (up to 10% if contract under $50k and no bond required); owner may reduce or eliminate | 10% of each payment due (owner to contractor); sub retainage may not exceed owner's | Public: within 30 days after acceptance (at least 98% of retainage). Private: no fixed final-release deadline verifiedPrivate Prompt Payment Act excludes residential of 4 or fewer units; contractor may substitute security for retainage (436.306). | RSMo § 8.960 (formerly 34.057)RSMo § 436.303RSMo § 436.336 |
| Montana | 5% | 5% | Released on final acceptance of each separately priced portion of work; prime must pay sub within 7 days of receiving owner paymentOwner's % to prime is the max prime may hold from subs. Part 21 (private cap) excludes residential projects under $400,000 total cost. | Mont. Code Ann. § 18-2-316Mont. Code Ann. § 28-2-2110Mont. Code Ann. § 28-2-2103Mont. Code Ann. § 28-2-2107 |
| Nebraska | 10%; max 5% of further progress payments once 50% complete (with assurances) – political subdivisions only | 10%; max 5% of further progress payments once 50% complete (with assurances) | Owner within 45 days after substantial completion; contractor pays sub retainage within 10 days of receiptConstruction Prompt Pay Act excludes State of Nebraska contracts and state-paid federal/state-aid subdivision projects; state-agency rule not verified. | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-1204Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-1203Neb. Rev. Stat. § 45-1202 |
| Nevada | 5% until 50% complete; then 0% if progress satisfactory (max 2.5% or 5% if agency keeps withholding) | 5% of each payment (if contract authorizes retention) | Within 30 days after occupancy/use, recorded notice of completion (public), or availability for use (private)Public: interest on retainage paid quarterly. Private release covers 'money remaining unpaid', subject to permitted withholdings. | NRS 338.515NRS 338.520NRS 624.609NRS 624.620 |
| New Hampshire | No statutory cap found | No statutory cap found | Not foundNo statutory % cap found. RSA 21-I:20 only lets contractors substitute securities for retainage on state contracts >$500k. Water projects: Env-Wq 507.12 rule. | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 21-I:20 |
| New Jersey | 2% of each partial payment (county/municipal contracts where contractor agrees to withholding) | No statutory cap found | Local public: within 45 days of final acceptance. All projects: owner pays retainage billing within 30 days; prime pays subs within 10 days of receiptNo statutory private cap found. Public % verified only for local contracting units; state agency, school board and DOT rules differ and were not verified. | N.J.S.A. 40A:11-16.3N.J.S.A. 2A:30A-2 |
| New Mexico | 0% (retainage prohibited) | 0% (retainage prohibited) | No retainage; owner pays undisputed requests within 21 days; contractor/sub pays lower tier within 7 days of receiptPrompt Payment Act bars withholding amounts owed for work performed. Excludes residential with ≤4 units. Text read on FindLaw (current as of 1/1/2024). | N.M. Stat. § 57-28-5N.M. Stat. § 57-28-3 |
| New York | 5% of each progress payment; up to 10% only if owner does not require full performance and payment bonds | 5% of contract sum (private contracts ≥ $150K; many residential projects excluded) | Public: balance less 2x value of open items paid at substantial completion. Private: owner releases within 30 days after final approval of workPrivate rule (GBL Art. 35-E) excludes public works and 1-3 family/small residential projects. Late private release accrues 1%/month interest. | N.Y. State Fin. Law § 139-fN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 756-cN.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 756 |
| North Carolina | 5%; none on projects < $150K; no further retainage after 50% complete if performance satisfactory | No statutory cap found | Public: within 60 days after pay request following substantial completion or beneficial occupancy. Subs: within 7 days of receiptPublic excludes NCDOT §136-28.1 contracts; owner may restore up to 2.5% total after 50%. Private: sub retainage ≤ owner's initial % (22C-4); no owner cap. | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-134.1N.C. Gen. Stat. ch. 22C |
| North Dakota | 10% until 50% complete, then no further retainage (unless unsatisfactory progress documented) | 10% until 50% complete, then no further retainage | Public: at 95% completion up to 95% of retainage may be paid; rest as architect approves; final payment after completion and acceptance48-01.2-13 covers public improvements; 43-07-23 covers other contracts (private) except federally governed ones. Private statute sets no release deadline. | N.D. Cent. Code § 48-01.2-13N.D. Cent. Code § 43-07-23 |
| Ohio | 4% of labor (partial payments ≥96% of approved labor estimates); stored materials paid at 92% of invoice | No statutory cap found | Public: within 30 days of substantial completion (less amount to finish); rest within 30 days of final completion. Subs: 10 days after receiptHB 96 (eff. 9/30/2025) replaced old 8%-until-50% rule; older contracts may differ. ODOT (Ch. 5525) excluded. No private % cap; 4113.61 sets sub pass-through. | Ohio Rev. Code § 153.12Ohio Rev. Code § 153.13Ohio Rev. Code § 153.14Ohio Rev. Code § 4113.61 |
| Oklahoma | 5%; reduced to 2.5% after 50% complete with satisfactory progress. ODOT/Turnpike withhold none | No statutory cap found | Within 21 days after certificate of substantial completion (less 150% of punch list); prime pays subs within 10 daysFair Pay for Construction Act defines construction contract as public only (§ 222). Two versions of § 113.1 exist (v1/v2) with similar 5%/2.5% rule. | 61 O.S. § 113.161 O.S. § 22661 O.S. § 222 |
| Oregon | 5%; agency may eliminate retainage after 50% complete if progressing satisfactorily (on contractor's written application) | 5% of contract price of work completed | Public: paid with final payment; 1.5%/mo interest from 30 days after completion/acceptance. Private: 1%/mo interest from 30 days after completionORS 701.420 covers construction and home improvement contracts; retainage on private contracts over $500k must go in interest-bearing escrow. | ORS 279C.570(7)-(8)ORS 701.420 |
| Pennsylvania | 10% until 50% complete, then half returned and max 5%; DGS contracts 6% then 3% | No statutory cap found | Public: may be held until substantial completion. Private (CASPA): within 30 days after final acceptance; subs paid within 14 days of receiptNo private % cap in CASPA. Sub may post 120% maintenance bond to release retainage at substantial completion of its scope (2018 amendment). | 62 Pa.C.S. § 392173 P.S. § 509 (CASPA § 9) |
| Rhode Island | 5% of any progress payment (contracts <$500k: up to 5% of price at substantial completion; RIDOT up to 5%) | 5% of any progress payment | Apply 60 days after substantial completion (or earlier per contract); pay within 30 days of application, +7 days per lower tier37-12-10.1 covers construction contracts (per § 5-65-1) and state/municipal public works. Up to 0.5% may be held 1 yr for latent defects. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-12-10.1R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-12-10 |
| South Carolina | 3.5% of each progress payment (state contracts and subcontracts) | No statutory cap found | State: released 'forthwith' as each division is certified complete; prime pays sub within 10 days of receiptConsolidated Procurement Code covers state bodies; local entities may differ. Private: § 29-6-40 allows 'a reasonable amount for retainage', no % cap. | S.C. Code § 11-35-3030(4)S.C. Code § 29-6-40 |
| South Dakota | No statutory cap found | No statutory cap found | State/local public: interest owed on retained sums from 30 days after completion until paid (county buildings: 60 days)No % cap. County building contracts must retain AT LEAST 12% of first $50k, 5% of next $200k, 2.5% above (a minimum). No private statute found. | S.D. Codified Laws § 5-18B-11S.D. Codified Laws § 9-42-12S.D. Codified Laws § 7-25-10 |
| Tennessee | 5% of the contract amount | 5% of the contract amount | Owner within 90 days after completion or substantial completion (earlier); prime pays subs within 10 days of receiptApplies to public and private. Retainage escrow required on contracts >= $500,000 (§ 66-34-104, not verified here). HUD 221(d)(4) may preempt per AG opinion. | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-34-103 |
| Texas | 10% if contract < $5M; 5% if contract ≥ $5M (10% for dam projects regardless of value) | No statutory cap found | Public: no retainage may be withheld after completion of contract work, incl. warranty period. Private: owner holds 10% reserve until 30 days after completionGov't Code subch. B excludes contracts < $400K and TxDOT Ch. 223 contracts. Private: no cap; §53.101 mandates a 10% lien reserve (a floor, not a cap). | Tex. Gov't Code § 2252.032Tex. Prop. Code § 53.101 |
| Utah | 5% of each payment; total may not exceed 5% of construction price | 5% (same statute; nonresidential commercial/industrial only) | Within 45 days of later of billing, certificate of occupancy/final acceptance, or occupancy; subs paid within 10 days of receiptExcludes residential work. Retention must be in interest-bearing account. Version read is marked superseded 1/1/2027; check amendment. | Utah Code § 13-8-5 |
| Vermont | No statutory cap found | No statutory cap found | Within 30 days after final acceptance of the work; contractor/sub pays lower tier within 7 days of receiving retainagePrompt Pay Act sets no % cap; applies to public and private owners. No retainage on accepted contracted materials from suppliers (§ 4005(e)). | 9 V.S.A. § 40059 V.S.A. ch. 102 |
| Virginia | 5% of each progress payment | No statutory cap found | Public: withheld amounts may be included in final payment (no fixed day count in § 2.2-4333)Private: § 11-4.6 sets prompt-pay terms but expressly does not prohibit retainage provisions; no % cap. Public scope (state vs local) not checked. | Va. Code § 2.2-4333Va. Code § 11-4.6 |
| Washington | 5% of moneys earned (federal-transportation-funded jobs rely on bond instead) | No statutory cap found | Public: 60 days after completion of all contract work, subject to prevailing wage (ch. 39.12) and tax/lien clearancesPrime may withhold max 5% from subs on public jobs; retainage bond allowed. No statutory private cap identified (not exhaustively checked). | RCW 60.28.011 |
| West VirginiaUnverified | No statutory cap found | No statutory cap found | Not foundNo general retainage statute found; secondary 50-state surveys agree. 2008 HB 4697 (10% cap) was a bill only. WVDOH rules address retainage by bond election. | W. Va. Code ch. 5, art. 22 (Government Construction Contracts) |
| Wisconsin | 5% until 50% complete, then none unless progress unsatisfactory; total never above 10% of work completed | No statutory cap found | State: paid at substantial completion less corrective/uncompleted work; prime pays subs within 7 days. Local: may be paid at substantial completionMunicipal rule applies to contracts of $1,000+ and excludes DOT. No private retainage statute found. | Wis. Stat. § 16.855(19) (state)Wis. Stat. § 66.0901(9)(b) (municipal) |
| Wyoming | 5% of calculated value of work completed | No statutory cap found | Public: paid on 41st day after first published notice of substantial completion, less amounts for incomplete/nonconforming workPublic works only; retainage held in account in contractor's name; interest-bearing deposit on request for contracts >$50k (§ 16-6-704). No private cap found. | Wyo. Stat. § 16-6-702Wyo. Stat. § 16-6-116 |
Checked against statute text on 2026-10-21. “No statutory cap found” means we did not find one; the contract then governs. Many rules apply only to certain owners (state agencies vs local governments), above dollar thresholds, or exclude residential work — read the notes.
Federal projects
On federal construction contracts, retainage may not exceed 10% of the approved estimate and should be withheld only when progress is unsatisfactory; retained amounts are paid promptly once contract requirements are complete.
- FAR 32.103: retainage “shall not exceed 10 percent of the approved estimated amount” and “should not be used as a substitute for good contract management.”
- FAR 52.232-5: if satisfactory progress has not been made, the contracting officer may retain a maximum of 10% of the payment; otherwise payment is made in full.
- Prompt Payment Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3905: subcontracts may provide for retaining a specified percentage of progress payments; withholding from a subcontractor requires written notice, and the prime may not bill the government for retained amounts until it certifies the subcontractor is entitled to them.
- DOT-assisted projects, 49 CFR § 26.29: prime contractors must pay subcontractor retainage within 30 days after the subcontractor’s work is satisfactorily completed.
Common patterns across states
Three patterns repeat: a 5% public cap, a reduction or stop at 50% completion, and a requirement to pass released retainage down to subcontractors within days of receipt.
- Reduction at 50%: several states (e.g. Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania) allow 10% early and less or none after half completion.
- Flow-down limits: many statutes bar a contractor from withholding a higher percentage from subcontractors than the owner withholds from it.
- Pass-through deadlines: once a prime receives retainage, it typically has 7–15 days to pay subcontractors their share.
- Punch-list holdbacks: at substantial completion, owners may keep a multiple (often 150–200%) of the value of unfinished items.
- Recent changes: California capped private retention at 5% for contracts entered on or after January 1, 2026; Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana changed public rules in 2025.
What this means for AP
Set each subcontract’s retainage rate at or below the cap that applies to the project, track the release deadline from substantial completion, and pass retainage down to subcontractors within the statutory window.
Model the balances with the retainage calculator, record them as described in retainage accounting, and see retainage in QuickBooks Online for the bill setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum retainage allowed by law?
It depends on the state and whether the project is public or private. Most state public-works statutes cap retainage at 5% (some at 10% until 50% complete); federal contracts cap it at 10%; many states set no cap on private work, leaving it to the contract.
Which states prohibit retainage?
New Mexico’s Prompt Payment Act bars withholding retainage on most construction contracts (residential projects of four or fewer units are excluded). Other states allow it subject to caps.
How long does an owner have to release retainage?
Commonly 30 to 60 days after substantial completion or final acceptance on public work, with subcontractors paid within 7 to 15 days after the contractor receives it. Check the specific state row and statute.
Can a general contractor withhold more retainage from a sub than the owner withholds?
Many states prohibit it — for example California, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and Montana tie the subcontractor percentage to the owner’s. Check your state row.
Related guides and tools
Sources
This table summarizes statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Retainage rules change, often depend on owner type, contract value, bonding, and project type, and may be modified by local ordinances or agency rules. Confirm the current statute and your contract with counsel before relying on any entry.
- FAR 32.103 — Progress payments under construction contracts (acquisition.gov)
- FAR 52.232-5 — Payments under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts (acquisition.gov)
- 31 U.S.C. § 3905 — Prompt Payment Act, payment provisions relating to construction contracts (Cornell LII)
- 49 CFR § 26.29 — Prompt payment and retainage on DOT-assisted contracts (Cornell LII)
- ConsensusDocs — “It’s My Retainage and I Want It Now!” (Sands & Bolte, July 2025)
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