What is a common outcome of retaining a portion of payment until project completion?

Retaining a portion of payment until project completion serves primarily as an incentive for the timely and thorough completion of a project. This practice encourages contractors and subcontractors to prioritize finishing their work and meeting the quality standards set out in the contract. By withholding a percentage of payment, project owners motivate the parties involved to address any outstanding issues and ensure that all aspects of the project are satisfactory before final payment is released.

This approach aligns the interests of the contractor with those of the project owner, as the contractor is more likely to put extra effort into completing the project in a timely manner and addressing any potential defects. The promise of receiving the final payment upon meeting all contractual obligations acts as a driving force throughout the project lifecycle.

While retaining payment can also have other benefits, such as reducing risks or improving relationships with subcontractors, the core intent behind this common practice is primarily to ensure that completion is incentivized.