Retention for minor works?

[Hugo Nebula]

Quick question: I have to get some work done at my mother's house. Following a leak, she will need a new ceiling, kitchen units, and a replacement floor slab. The quote we are going with is for approximately £5,000, and the work should last for no more than a couple of weeks.

I'm going to use the FMB Minor Works contract. Effectively there is a

100% retention for up to 21 days by virtue of the time period for final payment on receipt of the invoice in the contract, and in that time we should be able to find out if the kitchen is fitted properly and all the services work, but the big imponderable is the floor slab. A badly-laid slab may not be evident for months if not years, but I doubt I could keep the 33% that part of the quote represents for that length of time. So what is a fair retention I should go for, and for how long?

[The Natural Philosopher]

If the slab is bad, you will have to rip the whole lot out and start again, which is less 'snagging' than 'insurance' IMHO :-)

Only real way is to watch the slab being laid I reckon.

[Bruce]

For large contracts, the accepted standard is a 10% retention for 12 months. For a small job such as this, the 10% retention would be reasonable, but perhaps for a shorter period. Small builders need their cash flow.

Did you ask the bidders to quote on the basis that you would be using the FMB Minor Works contract? Did they know you intended to impose a retention? If not, expect at least some raised eyebrows when you try to impose it, and perhaps a withdrawn bid.