What is a progress payment lien waiver?

A progress payment lien waiver (also called a partial waiver) waives lien rights for a single payment draw on an ongoing project, rather than for the entire contract. You sign one with each draw until the job is complete.

How often do I sign progress payment waivers?

Typically with every payment draw — often monthly. You sign a conditional progress waiver to receive the draw, then an unconditional progress waiver once that payment clears.

How do progress waivers relate to G702/G703?

Progress waivers reference the same draw amounts as your AIA G702/G703 payment application. Tying them together keeps your billing and your lien releases in sync each pay period.

Progress Payment Lien Waivers: How Partial Draws Work

On a long project, you don't wait until the end to release lien rights — you do it draw by draw with a progress payment lien waiver (also called a partial waiver). Here's how the progress cycle works and how to keep it clean.

What a progress payment waiver covers

A progress waiver releases lien rights only for the specific payment and dates listed — not the whole contract. Everything outside that draw, including retention and future work, stays protected. Compare this to the final waiver in our partial vs final guide.

The conditional → unconditional cycle

Each draw usually involves two waivers:

Conditional progress waiver — signed to request or receive the draw. It only takes effect once the payment actually clears.
Unconditional progress waiver — signed after the check clears, confirming the payment was received.

Defaulting to conditional first is the safe habit — see conditional vs unconditional for why.

Tying waivers to your G702/G703 draws

Because a progress waiver references the same amount as your draw, it pairs naturally with your G702/G703 payment application. Generating both each period keeps your billing trail and lien releases perfectly aligned — which is exactly what GCs and lenders want to see.

Don't forget retention

Most progress draws hold back retention. List it as an exception on every progress waiver so you don't accidentally release rights to money you haven't been paid. The how to fill out a lien waiver guide covers exactly where this goes.

Ready to bill your next draw? You can generate a free progress payment waiver in minutes — no account required.