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Cash FlowGlossary Term

Discharge Petition

A formal document filed by subcontractors to release unpaid lien claims against a project owner's property. It is typically used when a general contractor fails to pass payment down the chain. Understanding this process helps field service companies recover outstanding invoices through legal channels.

Related Terms

Headline Inflation

Cash Flow

The overall rate of price increases across the economy, including fuel and materials. For subcontractors, it signals rising operating costs that may not be covered by fixed-rate contracts. Monitor it when renegotiating agreements or submitting bids.

Net 30/Net 45/Net 60

Cash Flow

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.

Escalation Clause

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A contract provision that allows your rates or pricing to increase if specific costs rise, such as fuel, labour, or materials. It protects subcontractors from absorbing unexpected cost spikes during long-term projects. Always verify trigger conditions and notice requirements before signing.

Lump-Sum Turnkey

Cash Flow

A fixed-price contract where the subcontractor delivers a completed scope of work for one agreed total. All cost overruns come out of your margin, not the client's pocket. Scope creep and unforeseen site conditions are your financial risk to manage.

Natural Gas Futures

Cash Flow

Contracts that lock in a future price for natural gas, traded on commodity markets. When futures prices drop, upstream clients often cut budgets and delay field work. Subcontractors should monitor futures as an early signal of upcoming project slowdowns or cancellations.

Embedded Cost

Cash Flow

Expenses already built into a contract rate that cannot be billed separately, such as mobilisation, PPE, or overhead. Subcontractors must identify these upfront to avoid absorbing unrecovered costs. Missing embedded costs during bid review is a common source of margin loss.

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