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Free drywall retainage release request template (English + Spanish)
By James Grokman, CEO, TapeAndFloat · Updated 2026-10-29
Retainage release is when the GC or owner pays you the retainage (retention) they held back from your progress payments. This free template is a ready-to-copy request email or letter, plus a polite follow-up, to ask for that money once your drywall scope is complete.
Copy the text into your email or letterhead and replace everything in [brackets]. Use it with the free retainage calculator, pay application template and payment tracker to know how much retainage is held on each job.
Check your contract and a lawyer for retainage rules in your state.
When to send the request
Send it after your drywall scope is complete and accepted, and when your contract says retainage can be requested. Some contracts tie release to your own scope, others to the whole project, final inspection or the owner paying the GC. Check your contract for when and how to ask, and who to send it to.
What to attach (check your contract)
Your contract or the GC's closeout list says what they need. Common items:
- Final pay application or invoice showing the retainage held.
- Punch list signed off by the GC or super (punch list template).
- Lien waiver on the form the GC asks for.
- Closeout documents, like a warranty letter, and as-builts if required.
- Anything else listed in your contract's closeout section.
Retainage release request email / letter
Replace the [placeholders]: job, contract number, retainage amount held, date work completed and the attachments.
Subject: Retainage release request: [job] - drywall - contract [contract #]
Good morning, [name]:
Our drywall scope on [job name and address] (contract [contract #]) was completed on [date work completed]. We are requesting release of the retainage held on this contract: [retainage amount held].
Attached:
- [final pay application or invoice #]
- [punch list signed off, date]
- [lien waiver on the form you asked for]
- [closeout documents: warranty letter, as-builts if required]
Please let me know if you need anything else from us to process the release, and when we can expect payment.
Thank you,
[your name]
[company] - [phone] - [email]
Follow-up email if there's no answer after [X] days
Pick the number of days that fits your contract and your relationship with the GC.
Subject: Following up: retainage release request - [job] - contract [contract #]
Good morning, [name]:
I'm following up on the retainage release request I sent on [date sent] for [job name] (contract [contract #]), for [retainage amount held]. I haven't heard back in [X] days, so I wanted to make sure it reached you.
I've attached the same documents again. Is there anything missing, or anyone else I should send this to? Could you let me know the expected release date?
Thank you,
[your name]
[company] - [phone] - [email]
Retainage phrases for the office and the GC
These phrases use "usted", the polite form most offices use with a GC or a client. The Spanish request letter is on the Spanish version of this page.
| English | Español |
|---|---|
| Retainage / retention | Retención |
| Retainage release | Liberación de retención |
| Retainage held | Retención retenida |
| Final pay application | Solicitud de pago final |
| Punch list signed off | Lista de pendientes firmada como terminada |
| Lien waiver | Renuncia de gravamen (lien waiver) |
| Closeout documents | Documentos de cierre |
| Warranty letter | Carta de garantía |
| Could you let me know when the retainage will be released? | ¿Me puede decir cuándo se va a liberar la retención? |
| Is there anything else you need from us to release it? | ¿Necesita algo más de nosotros para liberarla? |
Related
- Retainage release (glossary)
- Retainage (glossary)
- Free drywall retainage calculator
- Drywall pay application template (schedule of values)
- Drywall payment tracker / accounts receivable log
- Drywall punch list template
- All free drywall office templates
Frequently asked questions
What is a retainage release request?
A letter or email asking the GC or owner to pay the retainage they held back from your progress payments, once your scope is complete. It says which job and contract, how much is held, when the work was finished, and what you've attached.
When should I send it?
After your drywall scope is complete and accepted, at the point your contract allows. Check your contract for when retainage can be requested and who to send it to.
What should I attach?
Usually your final pay application or invoice, the signed-off punch list, a lien waiver on the form the GC asks for, and closeout documents like a warranty letter or as-builts if required. Check your contract or the GC's closeout list.
What if the GC doesn't answer?
Send the polite follow-up email on this page after the number of days you choose, with the same attachments, and ask if anything is missing or if someone else handles it. Keep a copy of every email you send.
Does this template tell me my state's retainage rules?
No. It's a letter template only. Check your contract and a lawyer for retainage rules in your state.
Do I need TapeAndFloat to use this template?
No. The template is free: copy the text into your own email or letterhead, with no sign-up.
Want help keeping up with who owes you?
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¿Prefiere español? Plantilla de solicitud de liberación de retención.