State retainage limits
Look up the most that a state's statute lets an owner hold back from progress payments, for public jobs and for private jobs. Every row links the official state page it was read from. States that have not been checked yet are listed separately instead of being guessed.
This table was compiled from the cited statutes on the date shown in each row. Rules change, and many have conditions and exceptions that the short notes only summarize. It is general information, not advice. The calculator runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Compiled from the cited statutes on the checked date in each row. Rules change. General information, not advice.
| State | Job type | General rate | Conditions (our summary) | Citation and source | Checked |
|---|
Not yet covered
These states have not been checked against an official source yet. That does not mean they have no limit.
General rate × contract amount
Arithmetic on the general rate in the row. Where the section steps the rate down, applies only to some contract sizes, or allows a different rate under a condition, a warning says so and the figure is not what the section allows on a particular contract.
What gets checked
- The figure shown equals the row's general rate times the contract amount, calculated a second way with whole-number division; both results must agree to the cent.
- The rate used is the one in the table row for the chosen state and job type.
- A warning shows whenever the cited section puts conditions on the rate (a step-down part-way through the work, a contract-size threshold, or a different rate under a stated condition), because the figure is then only rate times contract amount.
- Every row in the table carries a statute citation, a link to an official state site, and the date it was checked. Automated tests fail the build if one is missing.
How it works
- Find the state. Type a state name or code in the filter, or scroll the table. Each row shows the cap for one job type, the conditions in short form, the citation, and the date checked.
- Open the source. Each row links the official state page the rule was read from, so the wording can be read in full.
- Apply the general rate to a contract amount. Enter a contract amount and pick a state and job type. The row's general rate times that amount is shown with its checks. Rows whose rate has conditions carry a warning, since the figure does not apply them.
- Check the not-yet-covered list. States that are missing from the table are listed below it. Missing means not checked yet; it does not mean the state has no limit.
Worked example
A made-up $250,000.00 public works contract in California, where the Public Contract Code section in the table sets a 5% cap.
| Contract amount | State and job type | General rate | Rate × contract amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000.00 | California, public | 5.00% | $12,500.00 |
5.00% of $250,000.00 is $12,500.00. The second calculation gives the same $12,500.00, so the check passes. The section lists exceptions, so this row is marked as having conditions on its rate and the page shows a warning that the figure is only rate × contract amount.
The example uses made-up names and numbers.
Questions
Why is my state missing?
A state is listed only when its rule was read on an official state legislature or agency site. States that have not been checked that way are shown under Not yet covered. A missing state may or may not have a limit.
Does the cap apply to my contract?
The table does not answer that. Many of these statutes cover only some owners, contract sizes, or project types, and several change the rate once the work is half complete. The notes summarize the main conditions and the link goes to the full text.
How current is the table?
Each row shows the date its source was checked. Legislatures change these rules, so the linked official page is the place to confirm the current wording.
What does the calculator use?
The general rate in the row, multiplied by the contract amount in whole cents and rounded half up. It does not apply the conditions in the notes. Where a section holds one rate only until the work is half done, applies only above a contract size, or allows a different rate under a condition, the row is marked "Rate has conditions" and the result carries a warning; the figure is then arithmetic on the general rate, not the amount the section allows to be held on a particular contract.
This tool calculates and checks numbers. It is not legal, tax, or medical advice.