Holdback vs Retainage – Contractor Paperwork

Holdback and retainage both describe money withheld from a construction payment until a later project milestone, but the terminology and legal rules vary by country, province, state, contract, and project type. Canadian contractors often search for holdback. US contractors often search for retainage.

How to route the workflow

Use holdback language on Canada prompt-payment pages.
Use retainage language on US progress billing and lien waiver pages.
Show the withheld amount on every invoice and payment packet.
Track release requirements separately from current net payment.

Holdback calculator

Estimate the holdback and invoice clock.

Use this as a planning calculator only. Construction payment, lien, holdback, and notice rules depend on jurisdiction, contract terms, project type, and timing.

Contract or invoice amount Holdback percent Proper invoice date Owner payment period

Holdback$10,000.00

Net payable before holdback release$90,000.00

Estimated payment dueChoose invoice date

Ontario non-payment notice checkpointChoose invoice date