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Running bill vs final bill

Short answer

A running bill is a partial payment during construction for work done to date, with retention deducted and advance recovered in instalments. A final bill is the last bill after completion, covering the whole work, with full settlement, release of retention, and detailed checking with completion documents.

Differentiate between running bill and final bill.

A running bill is a bill for payment of part of the work done up to a date, during the progress of work. A final bill is the last bill after the work is fully completed.

PointRunning billFinal bill
TimeDuring construction, at stagesAfter completion and handover
Work coveredPart of work done to dateWhole work, including the last portion
NumberSeveral (RA bill 1, 2, 3 ...)Only one
Retention5% retained from each billRetention released after the defect liability period
AdvanceRecovered in instalmentsBalance recovered fully
DocumentsMB, abstract, previous payment detailsCompletion certificate, as-built drawings, no-claim certificate
CheckingNormal checkingDetailed checking, reconciliation, audit
Nature of paymentPayment on accountFull and final settlement

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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