A payment cheque issued by a general contractor made payable to both the subcontractor and their supplier or creditor simultaneously. It ensures supplier invoices are paid directly from project funds, reducing lien risk. Subcontractors must endorse the cheque alongside the named party before cashing it.
Joint Check
Related Terms
CWIP (Construction Work in Progress)
Cash FlowAn accounting category tracking costs for projects not yet complete or placed into service. For subcontractors, your invoiced work may sit in a client's CWIP account until project completion. This can affect payment timing and how clients prioritise approving your billings.
Early Payment Discount
Cash FlowA reduced invoice amount offered to prime contractors or clients who pay before the standard due date. Common terms like 2/10 Net 30 mean a 2% discount if paid within 10 days. Subcontractors must weigh the cash-flow benefit against the revenue they give up.
Contingent Payment
Cash FlowPayment tied to a specific condition being met, such as project completion or client approval. Subcontractors must track these triggers carefully to invoice on time. Delayed conditions can create serious cash-flow gaps in the field.
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.
Geopolitical Risk Premium
Cash FlowAn added cost built into project contracts to account for instability in regions where work is performed. For subcontractors, it affects bid pricing, insurance rates, and mobilisation costs. Clients in high-risk areas may pay elevated day rates to secure reliable field crews.
Baseload
Cash FlowA guaranteed minimum volume of work contracted over a set period. For subcontractors, baseload provides predictable revenue and justifies keeping crews and equipment on standby. It is the foundation around which additional spot or call-out work is scheduled.
Latest Cash Flow News
Aecon and Arctic Gateway Sign MOU for Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway Development
Aecon Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Arctic Gateway Group to support infrastructure development in northern Manitoba, targeting the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway. Subcontractors with remote construction experience should take note of upcoming opportunities in the region.
9 days ago Cash FlowNew Brunswick Prompt Payment Law Passed in 2023, Still Not Enforced — And Contractors Are Paying the Price
New Brunswick's prompt payment legislation received Royal Assent in 2023, but with no enforcement date set and no draft regulations released, contractors are still waiting months to get paid. Here's what the ongoing delay means for cash flow.
1 month ago Cash FlowCash Flow Strategy Gives Contractors an Edge in Volatile Market
Engineering News-Record outlines how contractors can manage cash flow through payment term negotiations, digital payments, and financial planning tools to stay competitive amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.
2 months ago Cash FlowChariot Backs Angola Offshore Deal With $12M, Gains Access to 4,000 bpd from Chevron-Operated Block
Chariot is financing an Angolan offshore acquisition with $12 million, securing production-linked cash flows from Block 14, a Chevron-operated asset producing around 40,000 bpd gross since 1999.
2 months agoRelated Guides
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.
Cash Flow GuidePost-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.
Cash Flow GuideMechanic'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.
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