Headline Inflation

A pricing structure where subcontractors charge a marked-up "rack" rate for materials, plus a separate fee for delivery or handling. It allows field service companies to recover supply chain costs beyond base labour rates.

The average number of days it takes to collect payment after a sale. For field service companies, DSO measures how long between completing work and receiving payment. Industry benchmarks range from 30-60 days.

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.

A standardised daily report documenting rig operations, hours worked, and downtime on a drilling project. Subcontractors often must align their own daily reports with the IADC DDR for invoicing and performance verification. Discrepancies between your records and the DDR can delay payment or trigger billing disputes.

A subcontractor's ability to fund operations while waiting on client payments. It covers payroll, fuel, and equipment costs between invoice and payment. Strong bridging power prevents work stoppages during slow pay cycles.

A fixed-price contract where the subcontractor delivers a completed scope of work for one agreed total. All cost overruns come out of your margin, not the client's pocket. Scope creep and unforeseen site conditions are your financial risk to manage.

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.