A measure of price increases that excludes volatile food and energy costs. For subcontractors, it reflects sustained rises in labour, materials, and equipment costs. Use it to justify rate adjustments in long-term service agreements.
Core Inflation
Related Terms
Lien Rights
Cash FlowLegal protections allowing subcontractors to place a claim against a property or project if payment is withheld. Filing a lien can prevent an owner from selling or refinancing until your invoice is settled. Deadlines to file are strict and vary by province, so act quickly when payment stalls.
DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)
Cash FlowThe average number of days it takes to collect payment after a sale. For field service companies, DSO measures how long between completing work and receiving payment. Industry benchmarks range from 30-60 days.
Convertible Notes
Cash FlowShort-term loans that convert into equity if not repaid by a set date. Subcontractors may encounter these when seeking growth capital to fund equipment or crew expansion. They carry risk: lenders can become part-owners of your company.
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.
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.
Shut-In
Cash FlowA temporary halt to production or operations at a well or facility, which often results in subcontractors being stood down with little notice, directly impacting billable hours and crew scheduling. Understanding shut-in clauses in your service agreement is critical, as they typically limit or eliminate your ability to claim standby pay or mobilisation costs during the downtime.
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.
15 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.
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