Net Pay

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.

A property lease where the tenant pays rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Subcontractors leasing yard space, shops, or staging areas often encounter this structure. Budget carefully — these added costs can significantly impact project overhead.

A sudden, unscheduled shutdown of equipment or operations that halts field work without prior notice. For subcontractors, it often triggers standby time disputes and delayed milestone billing. Contracts should clearly define compensation terms for crew and equipment during unplanned downtime.

A contract provision allowing price adjustments when material costs rise above a set threshold. Subcontractors use it to recover cost increases on longer-duration projects. Without it, unexpected price spikes in steel, pipe, or consumables come directly out of your margin.

A funding structure where a specific project secures its own debt and equity, separate from the sponsor's balance sheet. For subcontractors, payment depends heavily on the project's cash flow rather than the owner's overall finances. This increases payment risk, making it critical to review contract terms and security provisions carefully.

A federal tax incentive that reduces the taxes a subcontractor owes based on eligible capital investments, such as purchasing equipment or machinery. Field service companies can apply ITCs to offset costs on qualifying assets used in operations. This can improve cash flow by lowering overall tax liability at year-end.

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.