How is retainage typically calculated?

• A. As a fixed dollar amount per draw
• B. As a share of the total project value
• C. As a percentage of the construction budget
• D. As a percentage of each draw

Answer: (D)

Retainage is the practice of withholding a portion of payment on each progress payment to protect the owner against incomplete or defective work until the project reaches a defined completion and is accepted. The typical method is to calculate retainage as a percentage of each progress payment (each draw). This means every payment has a set portion held back, and the total withheld accumulates as the project progresses. For example, if the contract calls for 10% retainage and a draw is 100,000, 10,000 is retained from that draw. The retained funds are usually released when milestones are met or at substantial completion, subject to final acceptance and lien releases. This approach scales with actual work performed and keeps incentives aligned with ongoing progress. Withholding a fixed dollar amount per draw wouldn’t adjust to different draw sizes, basing it on the total project value would apply a single holdback regardless of progress, and tying it to the construction budget would depend on planned expenditures rather than actual payments.