Based on the JBCC Principal Building Agreement template — the South African standard. Payments only fall due when verifiable site milestones are reached, with retention held against snagging.
Contract value
The agreed lump sum or BOQ total, excluding VAT and PC items.
Retention %
JBCC standard is 5% retention, capped at 10%.
#
Stage
%
Stage value
Retention
Pay this stage
01
Mobilisation
10%
R 240 000
−R 12 000
R 228 000
Triggers: Signed agreement, NHBRC enrolment certificate, site handover, performance guarantee lodged.
Watch out: Refuse to pay mobilisation against an unsigned contract. Insist on the NHBRC enrolment number.
02
Foundations & ground floor slab
15%
R 360 000
−R 18 000
R 342 000
Triggers: Excavation, footings, foundation walls and ground-floor surface bed cast and inspected.
Watch out: Engineer to sign off foundations before backfill. Don't pay against a covered foundation.
03
Brickwork to wall plate
20%
R 480 000
−R 24 000
R 456 000
Triggers: All external and internal walls up to roof level, lintels in place.
Watch out: Check coursing, DPC at correct level, lintel bearing on both ends.
04
Roof structure & cover
15%
R 360 000
−R 18 000
R 342 000
Triggers: Trusses up, roof covered and waterproofed, fascias and gutters fitted.
Watch out: Engineer certificate for trusses. Pull a tile sample to confirm spec.
05
Plastering, screeds & first fix
12%
R 288 000
−R 14 400
R 273 600
Triggers: Internal plaster, screeds, electrical and plumbing first fix complete.
Watch out: First-fix plumbing & electrical inspections logged with the local authority.
06
Joinery, tiling & second fix
13%
R 312 000
−R 15 600
R 296 400
Triggers: Doors, windows, ceilings, tiling, kitchen and bathroom carcasses installed.
Watch out: Insist on a snag walk-through at this stage — fixes are cheaper now than after handover.
07
Finishes & paint
8%
R 192 000
−R 9 600
R 182 400
Triggers: Painting, final electrical and plumbing fix, sanitaryware connected, appliances installed.
Watch out: Match paint, taps and PC items against the contract schedule line by line.
08
Practical completion
5%
R 120 000
−R 6 000
R 114 000
Triggers: Snag list closed, occupation certificate issued, keys handed over.
Watch out: Retain 5% for the 90-day defects period. Half of retention released at practical completion.
Watch out: Don't release final retention until you have written confirmation of NHBRC enrolment.
Before you sign
Print this schedule, paste it into Annexure C of your JBCC contract and have both parties initial each line. Stage triggers are evidence. Money should never move until the trigger is documented in writing.