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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Escalation Clause

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.

Related Terms

Nonresidential Inputs

Cash Flow

Materials, labour, and equipment costs tied to commercial and industrial construction projects. Subcontractors track these input costs to price bids accurately and protect margins. Rising input costs can erode fixed-price contract profitability quickly.

Job Costing

Cash Flow

The process of tracking all costs associated with a specific job or project, including labor, equipment, materials, and overhead. Accurate job costing is essential for understanding profitability.

Fixed-Price Contract

Cash Flow

A contract where the subcontractor agrees to complete a defined scope of work for a set price regardless of actual labour, equipment, or material costs incurred — meaning cost overruns come directly out of your margin. Unlike time-and-material agreements, these contracts reward efficiency but expose field service companies to significant financial risk if scope creep or unforeseen site conditions arise.

Backcharge

Cash Flow

A charge issued by an operator or general contractor to a subcontractor for costs incurred due to defective work, delays, or failure to meet contractual obligations.

Dayrate

Cash Flow

A fixed daily fee charged by a subcontractor or equipment provider, regardless of hours worked or output produced. It covers labour, equipment, and overhead for that calendar day. Dayrates are common in drilling, rental, and specialised field service contracts.

Fuel Cost Escalator

Cash Flow

A contract clause that adjusts your billing rate when diesel or fuel prices shift beyond a set threshold. It protects subcontractors from absorbing sudden fuel cost spikes on long-term or remote field assignments. Negotiate the trigger percentage and index reference before signing.

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