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Retainage Calculator

Holdback math

Construction retainage calculator

Plug in the contract, billed-to-date, and the rate in the subcontract. Turn on step-down if the job cuts from 10% to 5% after half billed.

Job numbers
Contract value and billing to date from this month’s pay app
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Need the line-by-line sheet? Open the G702-style pay app. Check Florida, Texas, or your state’s retainage cap, or read how to bill retainage.

Questions this page answers

How is retainage calculated?
Multiply completed and stored-to-date work by the contract retainage rate. Earned less retainage is that total minus the amount held. What should have been paid is earned less retainage minus prior payments.
How do I calculate retainage in construction?
Use the rate in the subcontract, then confirm it is not above the state cap. Many jobs step down from 10% to 5% after 50% complete — turn that on in the calculator.
What is 10% retainage?
Ten percent of billed work is held until closeout. On a $500,000 contract that is $50,000 sitting with the owner. Some states cap public or private retainage below 10%.