Retainage Tracker
Track held retainage across jobs. See total held, earned-unreleased, and your exposure.
| Job | Contract ($) | Retain % | % Complete | Released ($) | Held | Unreleased | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000.00 | $15,000.00 | ||||||
| $6,000.00 | $3,000.00 | ||||||
| $16,800.00 | $16,800.00 |
Total Earned-Unreleased (Exposure)
$34,800.00
cash held against your earned work
| Total Contract Value | $850,000.00 |
| Total Earned | $438,000.00 |
| Total Retainage Held | $37,800.00 |
| Total Released | $3,000.00 |
Formula: earned = contract × (% complete / 100). Retainage held = earned × (retainage % / 100). Earned-unreleased = held − released to date. Your exposure is the sum of all earned-unreleased balances.
Estimates only. Not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retainage?
Retainage (sometimes called retention) is a percentage of each progress payment that the owner or general contractor withholds until the project is substantially complete and any punch list items are resolved. It protects the paying party against defects or incomplete work, but it also ties up the contractor's working capital throughout the job.
What is a typical retainage percentage?
5% to 10% is the most common range. Many states cap public-works retainage at 5% by statute. Private projects often start at 10% and step down to 5% (or zero) once the job hits 50% complete. Subcontractor agreements frequently mirror whatever the prime is held to, so always check your flow-down language.
When does retainage get released?
Most contracts release retainage at substantial completion, with final retainage released after punch list completion and delivery of closeout documents (warranties, O&M manuals, as-builts, final lien waivers). Some contracts allow partial early release when the project crosses milestones such as 50% complete. Final release typically takes 30 to 90 days after acceptance.
How do AIA G706 lien releases affect retainage?
AIA G706 (Contractor's Affidavit of Payment of Debts and Claims) and G706A (with subcontractor lien waivers) are standard closeout documents required before final payment and final retainage release. The owner uses them as evidence that subs and suppliers have been paid, which protects the property from later lien claims. No G706 package usually means no retainage check, so build the document collection into your closeout schedule.