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Contracts & Legal

Retainage Release

In Plain English

The payment of withheld retainage money back to the contractor after the project is substantially or fully complete.

Definition

Retainage release is the process by which the owner pays the withheld retainage funds to the contractor upon achieving contractual milestones, typically substantial completion and final completion. Some contracts provide for partial retainage release at substantial completion and the balance at final completion. Prompt retainage release is required by statute in many states.

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