What is the retainage cap in Florida?

On public work the planning cap is 5%. On private work it is No statutory cap (10% is market). Bid documents and the subcontract still control if they are stricter.

When is retainage released in Florida?

Public jobs typically release 30 days after acceptance. Private jobs: Per contract. Confirm the contract date — several states changed caps in 2025–2026.

How fast must a prime pay a sub in Florida?

10 days after the prime is paid (many public jobs). Owner or agency to prime is Local public: often 25 days after invoice. Late-pay interest: Per contract / Local Gov. Prompt Payment Act.

Florida · FL

Florida retainage law and prompt-payment rules

Private retainage is not capped. Public jobs step down after 50% on many contracts. Start in the code: Fla. Stat. § 218.735; § 255.078; § 713.346.

Use this page when you are bidding or billing a job in Florida. Public retainage is listed as 5%; private as No statutory cap (10% is market). Typical public release is 30 days after acceptance.

Then open the retainage calculator for the dollars, or the G702-style pay application if you need line-by-line previous certificates.

Florida retainage law in practice

Florida is the search “florida retainage law.” Public work is the tight side: many local-government contracts cap retainage at 5% and step it down after 50% complete under the Local Government Prompt Payment Act. Private commercial work has no statewide retainage cap — 10% is still common in the field, so the subcontract is the document that matters.

Public release is typically about 30 days after acceptance. Prime-to-sub pass-through on many public jobs is 10 days after the prime is paid. Do not model a Florida private job on the public 5% habit; they are different statutes.

If you are billing a Florida job this month, run the dollars in the retainage calculator, then keep Line 7 (previous certificates) aligned on the G702-style worksheet.

Statute text: Fla. Stat. § 218.735. Confirm the current code before you rely on a date.

Where is the job?

State and project type drive retainage caps and payment clocks

State

Project type

Caps and clocks change with project type, contract value, and the year you signed. Planning table only — confirm the current statute before you rely on a date.

Florida — private work

Retainage capNo statutory cap (10% is market)

Typical retainage releasePer contract

Interest / penaltyPer contract / Local Gov. Prompt Payment Act

Owner / agency to primeLocal public: often 25 days after invoice

Prime to sub (after prime paid)10 days after the prime is paid (many public jobs)

Start in the codeFla. Stat. § 218.735; § 255.078; § 713.346

Private retainage is not capped. Public jobs step down after 50% on many contracts.

Summaries compiled for planning. This site is not a law firm.

Run the retainage dollars

Questions this page answers

What is the retainage cap in Florida?: On public work the planning cap is 5%. On private work it is No statutory cap (10% is market). Bid documents and the subcontract still control if they are stricter.
When is retainage released in Florida?: Public jobs typically release 30 days after acceptance. Private jobs: Per contract. Confirm the contract date — several states changed caps in 2025–2026.
How fast must a prime pay a sub in Florida?: 10 days after the prime is paid (many public jobs). Owner or agency to prime is Local public: often 25 days after invoice. Late-pay interest: Per contract / Local Gov. Prompt Payment Act.

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