GC Laws — Delaware contractor-law checklist preview (free)
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. Public summaries remain free on gclaws.com.

[ ] Licensing
      - Delaware requires businesses performing construction services to obtain Department of Labor contractor registration before beginning covered work. This registration is separate from, and additional to, the Division of Revenue business license. Contractors should also check the professional or trade licenses applicable to the work.

[ ] Mechanic's liens
      - A person contracting directly with the owner who supplies both labor and materials, and a covered construction manager, generally has 180 days after structure completion to file. Section 2711(a)(2) supplies alternative dates that establish timely filing, including its specified contract-completion, payment, invoice, occupancy and acceptance events.
      - Other covered claimants generally file within 120 days after the last labor or material delivery. Section 2711(b) also has alternative final-payment triggers; do not substitute a universal 120-day period for the category-specific statute.
      - The verified statement of claim is filed with the Prothonotary of the Superior Court in the property county and must contain the information required by §2712.

[ ] Retainage
      - For public construction governed by Delaware Code §6962, an agency retains 5% of completed-work value as specified in the bid documents. At completion, it may release 60% of the retained amount. Final release is subject to the section’s approval, reporting and subcontractor-payment requirements; disputed payments can justify additional withholding under the statute.

[ ] Prompt payment
      - For private construction within 6 Del. C. §3507, when the contract does not specify when invoices may be submitted, the owner’s undisputed final payment is due by the later of 30 days after the billing period ends or 30 days after receipt of the invoice. If downstream payment terms are unspecified, the contractor or subcontractor must pay the relevant lower tier within 15 days after receiving payment. Section 3507 excludes public projects covered by Title 29, Chapter 69, certain residential construction of six or fewer units, single-residence alterations or repairs, and specified purchases for one’s own property.

[ ] Prevailing wage
      - The threshold is in excess of $500,000 for new construction and in excess of $45,000 for alteration, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, demolition or reconstruction. Specifications state the minimum wages for the applicable workers as determined by Delaware DOL.
      - Covered laborers and mechanics must receive the specified wages at least weekly under §6960(b).

[ ] Davis-Bacon (federal)
      - Under 40 U.S.C. section 3142, covered contracts require payment to laborers and mechanics employed directly on the site of the work at least weekly, at rates no lower than the applicable prevailing wage determination. The required compensation includes the basic hourly rate and required fringe benefits, which may be provided through qualifying benefits or cash as the statute permits.
      - Qualifying apprentices may receive a lower registered-program rate only when the applicable registration and program conditions are met. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship rules govern those exceptions.
      - The Department of Labor determines the prevailing rates for the work classifications and locality. Contractors and subcontractors must use the wage determination applicable to their covered contract.
      - Federal assistance alone does not establish coverage: many, but not all, construction-assistance statutes include Davis-Bacon requirements. Identify the funding program and its governing Related Act.
      - SAM.gov publishes Davis-Bacon wage determinations. Search by the wage-determination number or the Davis-Bacon public-buildings-or-works category, and match the decision to the contract, locality, and work classification.

This preview lists the topics and rules covered in the full state pack. The paid pack adds the complete source URLs, citations, review dates, and the three editable tools.
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