EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation)

NPT (Non-Productive Time) is any period when crews or equipment are on-site but not performing billable work. This includes weather delays, equipment breakdowns, or waiting on materials. Subcontractors often absorb NPT costs unless contracts clearly define standby rates.

The division of costs, revenue, or liability between multiple parties on a shared project or contract. Subcontractors encounter this when overhead costs or insurance claims are split across several work scopes or prime contractors. Clear apportionment terms in your contract protect against unfair cost allocations.

A return visit to a job site to fix work that failed inspection or did not meet spec. Callbacks are unpaid rework that directly cuts into a subcontractor's margin. Minimising them is critical to staying profitable on fixed-price contracts.

Contracts locking in future heating oil prices, traded on commodity markets. Subcontractors use these trends to forecast fuel-related operating costs on remote or winter job sites. Rising futures signal higher equipment heating and site fuel expenses ahead.

A contract where the subcontractor agrees to deliver work for a set price, regardless of actual costs incurred. Cost overruns come out of your margin, not the client's budget. Accurate estimating and scope control are critical before signing.

A disconnect between what a subcontractor quoted and what the client expects to pay for. This often surfaces during invoicing when scope, rates, or billing terms were not clearly agreed upon upfront. It can delay payments and strain relationships with prime contractors.

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.