Builders Lien

Funds raised or borrowed to grow a subcontracting business beyond its current capacity. This covers new equipment, additional crews, or entry into new service markets. It differs from operating capital, which keeps day-to-day work running.

The current market rate for materials, fuel, or equipment rentals purchased for immediate delivery. Spot prices fluctuate daily, directly affecting your job cost estimates and margins. Locking in rates early can protect subcontractors from sudden price spikes mid-project.

Payment terms indicating when payment is due after invoice date. Net 30 means payment within 30 days. Many operators use Net 45 or Net 60, extending subcontractor cash cycles.

A variable fee added to invoices to recover fuel cost fluctuations on equipment-heavy jobs. Subcontractors often tie it to a published index, such as the weekly rack price. Review prime contracts carefully — some owners cap or exclude surcharges entirely.

The point when a client formally accepts and begins using delivered equipment or a completed scope of work. For subcontractors, this date often triggers final billing milestones or warranty periods. Confirm it in writing to protect your payment rights.

A pricing model where the contractor agrees to complete a defined scope of work for a fixed total price, regardless of actual costs incurred.

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.

Post-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.

Mechanic'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.