Payment tied to a specific condition being met, such as project completion or client approval. Subcontractors must track these triggers carefully to invoice on time. Delayed conditions can create serious cash-flow gaps in the field.
Contingent Payment
Related Terms
Cost-Plus
Cash FlowA contract where the client reimburses your actual costs and pays an additional agreed percentage or fee on top. Common in complex field projects where scope is hard to define upfront. Subcontractors must track and document all expenses carefully to get paid accurately.
Fuel Surcharge
Cash FlowA variable fee added to invoices to offset rising fuel costs for equipment, vehicles, and machinery. Rates are typically tied to a published fuel index and adjusted weekly or monthly. Subcontractors should confirm surcharge terms in their master service agreements before mobilising.
Work on Hand (WOH)
Cash FlowThe total value of contracted work that has not yet been completed. Used by bonding companies to assess contractor capacity and risk.
Wholesale Cost
Cash FlowThe base price a subcontractor pays to source materials, equipment, or supplies before adding markup. Understanding wholesale cost helps field service companies price jobs accurately and protect margins. It is the starting point for calculating billable rates to clients.
Full Truckload Pricing
Cash FlowA freight rate applied when a shipment fills an entire truck, typically offering lower per-unit costs than partial loads. Subcontractors hauling equipment or materials to remote sites often negotiate FTL rates to reduce logistics costs. Consolidating loads before mobilisation helps field teams maximise savings under this pricing model.
CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries)
Cash FlowA centralised system used by operators to consolidate and process contractor timesheets, work records, and billing entries. Subcontractors submit field data through CAPE to trigger payment and compliance verification. Accurate, timely entries are critical to avoiding payment delays.
Latest Cash Flow News
BP Pays Louisiana $350M Lump Sum, Settles Coastal Suits
BP will give Louisiana an accelerated $350 million payment for Deepwater Horizon claims and resolve remaining parish coastal lawsuits. Here is what coastal civil subcontractors should do this quarter.
5 days agoCash FlowKinder Morgan Lifts Force Majeure, Restores Mexico Gas Flows on Tennessee Gas
Kinder Morgan has resumed US-Mexico gas deliveries on its Tennessee Gas Pipeline and lifted force majeure after repairs. Here is what the restart means for integrity, outage-window and callout crews, and for their cash flow.
16 days agoCash FlowHudson Tunnel Boring Starts on $16B Project Amid Funding Fights
Tunnel boring machines are set to start cutting through 5,100 feet of Palisades rock on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project. Subcontractors should weigh payment and federal funding exposure before signing on.
1 month agoCash FlowClaremore Data Center Deal Sends $172M to Oklahoma Schools, County
A Beale Infrastructure data center project near Claremore, Oklahoma will pay $172 million in PILOT funds to local schools and county agencies over 25 years, with Sequoyah Public Schools receiving the largest share at $100 million.
1 month 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
