Expansion Capital

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.

A standing approval that allows subcontractors to perform recurring work up to a set dollar limit without requiring a new work order each time. It simplifies billing and reduces administrative delays on long-term contracts. Subcontractors should confirm spending thresholds in writing before mobilising crews.

A contract clause requiring the client to pay for a minimum volume of services or materials, whether used or not. For subcontractors, it provides revenue protection when a project slows down or scopes are cut. Negotiate these clauses carefully to ensure your standby rates and mobilisation costs are covered.

A formal document filed by a subcontractor to preserve lien rights on a project before work begins or early in the job. It notifies the property owner and general contractor that you have a financial stake in the project. Without it, you may lose the right to file a lien if payment is withheld.

A profitability measure that strips out non-cash costs and one-time charges, showing true operational earnings. For subcontractors, it reveals how much cash your field operations actually generate. Clients and lenders use it to assess your financial health before awarding contracts or extending credit.

Time when a subcontractor's crew or equipment is on-site but unable to work due to client-caused delays. Most contracts allow billing at a reduced standby rate during this period. Tracking and documenting standby time is critical to recovering these costs.

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.