A subcontractor's ability to fund operations while waiting on client payments. It covers payroll, fuel, and equipment costs between invoice and payment. Strong bridging power prevents work stoppages during slow pay cycles.
Bridging Power
Related Terms
Blanket Authorization
Cash FlowA standing approval that allows subcontractors to perform recurring work up to a set dollar limit without requiring a new work order each time. It simplifies billing and reduces administrative delays on long-term contracts. Subcontractors should confirm spending thresholds in writing before mobilising crews.
Job Costing
Cash FlowThe process of tracking all costs associated with a specific job or project, including labor, equipment, materials, and overhead. Accurate job costing is essential for understanding profitability.
Capped-Call Transactions
Cash FlowA financial tool used by larger contractors to manage costs when issuing convertible debt. It limits share dilution, helping protect company ownership structure. Subcontractors may see clients reference these when explaining capital raise decisions affecting project budgets.
Priced Option
Cash FlowA pre-negotiated scope item included in a contract at a fixed rate, which the client may activate later without rebidding. Common in turnarounds and construction projects for add-on scopes like additional inspection work or extra crews. Securing favourable rates upfront protects subcontractors from rushed low-ball pricing pressure mid-project.
Ticket Rejection
Cash FlowWhen an operator returns a field ticket for correction before approval. Common causes include missing information, rate discrepancies, or insufficient documentation. Rejections delay payment and require rework.
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation)
Cash FlowA measure of a subcontractor's core operating profitability, stripping out financing and accounting costs. It helps field service companies assess whether their contracts and crews are generating real operational value. Clients and lenders often use it to evaluate a subcontractor's financial health before awarding work.
Latest Cash Flow News
Aecon and Arctic Gateway Sign MOU for Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway Development
Aecon Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Arctic Gateway Group to support infrastructure development in northern Manitoba, targeting the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway. Subcontractors with remote construction experience should take note of upcoming opportunities in the region.
9 days ago Cash FlowNew Brunswick Prompt Payment Law Passed in 2023, Still Not Enforced — And Contractors Are Paying the Price
New Brunswick's prompt payment legislation received Royal Assent in 2023, but with no enforcement date set and no draft regulations released, contractors are still waiting months to get paid. Here's what the ongoing delay means for cash flow.
1 month ago Cash FlowCash Flow Strategy Gives Contractors an Edge in Volatile Market
Engineering News-Record outlines how contractors can manage cash flow through payment term negotiations, digital payments, and financial planning tools to stay competitive amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.
2 months ago Cash FlowChariot Backs Angola Offshore Deal With $12M, Gains Access to 4,000 bpd from Chevron-Operated Block
Chariot is financing an Angolan offshore acquisition with $12 million, securing production-linked cash flows from Block 14, a Chevron-operated asset producing around 40,000 bpd gross since 1999.
2 months agoRelated Guides
What Happens to Subcontractor Billing When a Project Stalls, Goes Over Budget, or Never Gets Commissioned
You did the work. The project was cancelled, shelved, or never activated. Here is what subcontractors need to know about billing rights, legal remedies, and how to get paid when no one wants to discuss the invoice.
Cash Flow GuidePost-Completion Warranty and Punch Work: Protecting Your Margins After the Job Ends
Warranty walks, punch lists, and post-completion callbacks eat into subcontractor margins. Learn how MSA warranty clauses work, when you can push back on mobilization costs, and how to document your way out of disputes.
Cash Flow GuideMechanic's Lien Rights for Subcontractors: What to Do When You're Not Getting Paid
A practical guide to mechanic's lien and materialman's lien rights for oilfield and construction subcontractors in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alberta — deadlines, filing steps, and leverage tactics.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews