FCF (Free Cash Flow)

A fixed, all-in rate quoted to a client that requires no further negotiation or adjustments. Subcontractors often offer a cash price to secure faster payment or simplified invoicing. It typically excludes extras like mobilisation, standby time, or material markups.

A pricing model where the contractor bills for actual time spent and materials used, plus markup. Common for work where scope is uncertain.

A centralised system used by operators to consolidate and process contractor timesheets, work records, and billing entries. Subcontractors submit field data through CAPE to trigger payment and compliance verification. Accurate, timely entries are critical to avoiding payment delays.

A client's approved spending plan for major projects, equipment, and infrastructure in a given year. When capital budgets are set or revised, subcontractors see direct impacts on contract awards and work volumes. Monitoring clients' capital budget cycles helps you time bids and resource planning effectively.

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.

The base price a subcontractor pays to source materials, equipment, or supplies before adding markup. Understanding wholesale cost helps field service companies price jobs accurately and protect margins. It is the starting point for calculating billable rates to clients.

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