When does the first release count from?

From practical completion. Record it in Handover and the first release date follows.

Time saved / Get the retention back

Retention release for subcontractors: the dates and the reminders

See what retention is held on each job, the release dates from your contract, and a reminder before each one falls due.

Retention comes back a year or more after you leave site. The builder holds the sheet. If you forget to ask, it can stay with them.

Estimate for a 6-month electrical job with 10 people on it, each job. Set your own job.

The risk it heads off

Retention is never claimed back after you leave site.Works out each release and its date, and reminds you while it is still held.
The end of the defects period passes without a claim.The second release date sits in your calendar.

Get the retention back: estimated minutes for each step, each job
Step	By hand	Excel	YourCA	What YourCA does
Keep a sheet of what is held	30 min	20 min	0 min	Builds the retention ledger from your claims.
Work out the release dates	20 min	15 min	0 min	Reads the release terms from your contract, each with its clause.
Remember to claim each release	30 min	30 min	2 min	Reminds you a month before, a week before and on the day.
Record what came back	15 min	10 min	2 min	Records each payment against its release.
Total, each job	95 min	75 min	4 min

When does the first release count from?: From practical completion. Record it in Handover and the first release date follows.