The builder demands final payment before finishing — The City of Edinburgh Council rules of thumb
The short answer: final payment is due when the contract works are complete and conforming — not when the builder says the calendar says so. If snagging items remain, the retention stays held: that is what it is for.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
The decision table
| Their position | Your position |
|---|---|
| "We're done, pay the retention" | Walk the job with the snagging log; list what remains; pay for what IS complete |
| "Pay now or we stop" | The walked-off-job script — written position, no panic payment |
| "Extra costs came up" | Variations need your written agreement (quote vs estimate) |
| "We'll finish after final payment" | Retention exists precisely for this; hold it in writing |
In The City of Edinburgh Council
Hold the position in writing, then letter before action if the deadline passes. Scotland: claims up to £5,000 run through the sheriff court Simple Procedure.
Report it: the Citizens Advice consumer service passes reports to The City of Edinburgh Council Trading Standards — council page (verified 2026-09-03). The council also publishes its own route.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Source: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/trading-standards (verified 2026-09-03).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.