North Carolina prompt payment
Prompt Payment in North Carolina — Sources checked
Who and what this applies to
Covered public construction; excludes DOT contracts under section 136-28.1.
Thresholds and scope
Final owner payment: 45 days; downstream: seven days after receipt.
The rules
- Final payment runs from earliest acceptance, completion certification or beneficial occupancy/use. Late interest is 1% monthly or fraction, unless a lower rate is agreed; contractor-delay and conditional-acceptance withholding exceptions apply. Source
- Prime contractors pass periodic/final payments within seven days; statutory grounds permit withholding. Source
Primary sources
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.
Not legal advice. This is general legal information. Laws and project facts differ; confirm the applicable requirements for your project.
Back to North Carolina contractor law · Prompt Payment topic guide.
Related tools and support
Visit GC Experts for contractor business support. FedTrakker currently leads to the GC Experts site. For project-specific legal advice, find counsel.