Construction Hub v1.7 — Retainage Module and Improved Dark Theme
Version 1.7 introduces a full-featured retainage module — a detailed per-contract page, release requests with approvals, automatic calculation from proformas and invoices, as well as significant dark theme improvements.
Retainage is one of the most complex financial aspects in construction — and one of the most frequent sources of disputes between owners and contractors. With Construction Hub v1.7, we are introducing a full-featured retainage module that makes tracking and releasing retained amounts transparent and controlled.
Retainage Module — Complete Control
What Is Retainage
In construction contracts, it is standard practice for the owner to withhold a percentage (typically 5-10%) from each payment as a guarantee of quality. These amounts are released after the warranty period expires and in the absence of defects. In theory, it is simple. In practice, tracking retainage across multiple contracts with different percentages and timelines is a logistical nightmare.
How We Solve It
The new module provides a detailed retainage page for each contract, showing the complete picture:
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Total retained amount | How much has been accumulated on the contract |
| Per act/invoice | Breakdown of which document retained what percentage |
| Status | Active, release requested, released |
| Warranty period | When the retention right expires |
Release Requests with Approvals
When the time comes to release the retainage, the process is formalized:
- Submit a request — the contractor submits a release request specifying the amount and justification
- Review and approve — the owner reviews the request and can approve, reject, or partially approve it
- Documentation — every action is recorded with date, user, and comment
- Linked documents — the released amount is automatically reflected in accounting documents
Automatic Calculation from Proformas and Invoices
The system automatically calculates the retainage when creating documents:
- Proforma from act — when you generate a proforma from a work completion act, the retainage percentage is applied automatically. The recipient sees clearly: total amount, retention, payable amount
- Implicitly paid retainage from invoices — during invoicing, the system recognizes when the retainage has been effectively paid through a final invoice and automatically updates the status
Dynamic Calculation
Retainage is not static — it changes with every new payment. Construction Hub supports dynamic calculation that updates the balance in real time when:
- A new act is created
- A proforma or invoice is issued
- A partial retainage release is made
- Contract terms are modified
This means you always see the current picture without manual recalculations. For construction companies managing dozens of contracts, this is the difference between hours of weekly manual work and automatic accuracy.
Improved Dark Theme
The dark theme received significant improvements in this version. We worked on:
- Better contrast — text and icons are more readable on dark backgrounds
- Consistent colors — all components now follow a unified color palette
- Tables and charts — improved readability of data in dark mode
- Forms — input fields are more clearly distinguished
For teams that work late (and in construction, this is more the rule than the exception), the improved dark mode reduces eye strain and makes long sessions more comfortable.
Auto-Scroll to Active Item in the Sidebar
A small but incredibly useful change — when you open a record from a specific module, the sidebar navigation automatically scrolls to the corresponding item and highlights it visually. No more searching through the menu to figure out where you are — the system shows you.
Why Retainage Deserves Its Own Module
In a typical construction project, retainage can represent 5-10% of the total contract value. On a 1,000,000 EUR project, that means 50,000-100,000 EUR locked up for months or years. Improper tracking leads to:
- Forgotten retainage — amounts that never get released because no one is monitoring the deadlines
- Disputes — discrepancies between retained and released amounts
- Accounting errors — inaccurate representation in the balance sheet and cash flow
With Construction Hub v1.7, these problems are a thing of the past. The system monitors deadlines, calculates amounts automatically, and documents every action.
If you manage construction contracts with retainage, this feature will change the way you track financial obligations.
Try it for free and see how the retainage module works with your real data.