I'm a subcontractor on a large project. We have completed the work over 7 months ago. The building is being used and open. We are waiting for our retention which I billed in Feb. I asked the Contractor and he said the owner hasn't paid us yet. I thought there were laws that when a building is turn over to owner and businesses are open on project that they have a limited time to pay retention.
That is true. If an owner withholds a retention from a direct contractor, the owner shall, within 45 days after completion of the work of improvement, pay the retention to the contractor. However, if there is a good faith dispute between the owner and direct contractor as to a retention payment due, the owner may withhold the final payment. It seems that there is a dispute between the owner and GC on the retention payment and that is why you were not paid yet.