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Construction Retainage Calculator

See how much cash the owner is holding back — and how much you're financing until the job closes out.

$300,000
Billed to date
$30,000
Retainage held
$270,000
Net paid to you
$50,000
Total held at 100%

At 60% complete you've billed $300,000 but only collected $270,000 — the owner is holding $30,000 in retainage. Over the whole job that's $50,000 you're financing until closeout. That's real money tied up — track it so you can chase release on time.

Retainage is the percentage an owner withholds from each progress payment until the work is accepted. Bullwork tracks retainage held per project and on your subcontracts automatically.

Why it matters

Retainage is your money — later

Every progress payment comes up short by the retainage percentage. It feels small per invoice, but across a job it adds up to a real chunk of your contract sitting in the owner’s account — money you’ve earned but can’t spend.

The contractors who get hurt are the ones who lose track of it and forget to chase release at closeout. Tracking retainage per project (and on your subcontracts) keeps your cash-flow picture honest and your collections on time.

Bullwork tracks retainage held on both your client invoices and your subcontracts automatically — so your AR, cash flow, and WIP all reflect what’s really collectible.

Questions

Retainage, answered

What is retainage?＋

Retainage (or retention) is a percentage of each progress payment the owner withholds until the project is complete and accepted — typically 5–10%. It protects the owner, but it ties up your cash for the length of the job.

How is retainage calculated?＋

It’s a percentage of the amount billed. Bill $300,000 with 10% retainage and the owner holds $30,000, paying you $270,000 — the $30,000 releases at closeout.

When do I get retainage back?＋

Usually at substantial completion or final acceptance, sometimes after a punch list and lien releases. Tracking it per project is how you make sure you actually chase and collect it on time.

Do I hold retainage from my subs too?＋

Often yes — GCs commonly withhold the same retainage from subcontractor payments that the owner withholds from them. Tracking both sides keeps your cash flow honest.

Never lose track of retainage

Bullwork tracks retainage on every invoice and subcontract, so you collect what you're owed.

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