Retainage

/rɪˈteɪnɪdʒ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A portion of a contract payment withheld until the completion of work to ensure satisfactory performance.
    The contractor received 90% of the payment upfront, with the remaining 10% as retainage until the project passed inspection.

Forms

  • retainage

Commentary

Retainage is commonly used in construction contracts as a financial incentive to ensure completion and remedy of defects.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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