# NEC ECC:  Retention on contracts

**URL:** <https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/nec-ecc-retention-on-contracts/5826>\
**Category:** Secondary X, W and Y options\
**Created:** [6 May 2020 11:14 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/nec-ecc-retention-on-contracts/5826 "2020-05-06T11:14:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![anonymous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/77aa72/32.png) [@anonymous1](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/u/anonymous1)\
**Post date:** [6 May 2020 11:14 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/nec-ecc-retention-on-contracts/5826/1 "2020-05-06T11:14:47Z")

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Please can you advise on the items that are NOT subject to retention on NEC Contracts?

Is there a different answer when it comes to JCT contracts?

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**Author:** ![Jon\_Broome](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/reachback.builtintelligence.com/jon_broome/32/192_2.png) [@Jon\_Broome](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/u/Jon_Broome)\
**Post date:** [6 May 2020 12:31 UTC](https://reachback.builtintelligence.com/t/nec-ecc-retention-on-contracts/5826/2 "2020-05-06T12:31:16Z")

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Very simply:

- to be subject to retention, option X16 has to be specified. If it is not, then there can be no retention.
- if X16 is specified, then the ‘retention percentage’ stated in Contract Data part 1 by the Client is retained from the Price for Work Done to Date as defined in the various main options.
- however, no retention is retained until the PWDD has reached the ‘retention free amount’ as specified in the CD Part 1 (normally as zero!). Thereafter, it is retained at the retention percentage on amounts in excess of this until …
- Completion is achieved whereupon half of the retention is payed back with the remainder after the ‘defects date’.