Pennsylvania prompt payment

Who and what this applies to

Private construction contracts under CASPA, excluding six or fewer residential units under simultaneous construction and material purchases for an owner’s own work. Government-owner projects instead use public-payment law.

Thresholds and scope

Contract payment terms control owner timing; statutory default applies when not otherwise agreed.

The rules

• CASPA §5 ordinarily makes owner invoices due 20 days after the billing-period end or invoice delivery, whichever is later. Section 7 requires compliant downstream payments 14 days after payment receipt or subcontractor invoice, whichever is later, subject to authorized withholding. Source
• CASPA does not apply where the construction owner is a government agency; the Pennsylvania Supreme Court distinguishes the Procurement Code’s public-project provisions. Source

Deadlines

Owner default 20 days; downstream 14 days.

Primary sources

• 0007..HTM
• J-11A-2016mo%20-%201027387208380168.pdf

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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