A contract where the subcontractor agrees to complete a defined scope of work for a set price, regardless of actual labour or material costs incurred — meaning cost overruns come directly out of your margin. Common in construction and turnaround work, these contracts reward efficient crews and tight project management but carry significant financial risk if scope creep or site conditions aren't carefully managed upfront.
Cash Flow Glossary Term
Fixed-Rate Contract
Related Terms
Net Pay
Cash FlowThe amount a subcontractor or field worker actually receives after all deductions — such as taxes, union dues, equipment charges, or mobilisation costs — have been subtracted from gross earnings. For subcontracting companies, tracking net pay against invoiced amounts is critical to maintaining healthy margins on field projects.
LEM (Labour, Equipment, Materials)
Cash FlowA breakdown of costs on a field ticket or invoice, separating charges into labor hours, equipment usage, and materials consumed.
Work on Hand (WOH)
Cash FlowThe total value of contracted work that has not yet been completed. Used by bonding companies to assess contractor capacity and risk.
Backcharge
Cash FlowA 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.
Progress Billing
Cash FlowInvoicing for work completed to date on a longer project, rather than waiting until project completion. Helps subcontractors maintain cash flow on extended jobs.
Unit Rate
Cash FlowA pricing model where work is billed per unit completed (per meter drilled, per cubic meter hauled, per joint welded, etc.).
Latest Cash Flow News
Cash Flow
Eni Cuts Annual Capex by $2B, Raises Shareholder Payouts Under 2026-30 Plan
Italian energy major Eni is reducing annual capital investment by roughly EUR 2 billion and boosting shareholder distributions under its updated five-year plan, a shift that signals tighter upstream spending through 2030.
yesterday Cash FlowAlberta Landowners Block Oil Company Operations Over Three Years of Unpaid Lease Payments
Edmonton-area landowners erected blockades against MAGA Energy after the company allegedly failed to pay land lease fees for three years, highlighting payment risks for field service contractors.
6 days ago Cash FlowTariffs Push Construction Input Prices Up 7% to Start 2026
January saw a sharp spike in nonresidential construction costs, driven by tariff-affected materials like copper, steel, and industrial controls. Here's what subcontractors need to know.
20 days ago Cash FlowStudy: Mid-Sized Field Service Companies Losing $1.8M Annually to Operational Inefficiency
New research quantifies the true cost of paper-based field operations. Revenue leakage, admin overhead, and delayed approvals combine to drain nearly 5% of revenue for a typical 75-person operation.
22 days agoRelated Guides
Cash Flow Guide
Job Costing for Field Service Companies: How to Know If You're Actually Making Money
A practical job costing guide for oilfield and construction subcontractors. Track labor, equipment, and materials per job to find profit leaks and bid smarter.
Cash Flow GuideHow to Reduce Field Ticket Rejections: A Subcontractor's Complete Guide
Learn why field ticket rejections happen, what every ticket must include, and proven steps to get oilfield invoices approved faster and protect your cash flow.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews A community project by 