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Cash FlowGlossary Term

Net Pay

The 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.

Related Terms

Change Order

Cash Flow

A formal written amendment to an existing contract that modifies scope, cost, or schedule. Subcontractors should never perform out-of-scope work without a signed change order. Undocumented changes are a leading cause of unpaid invoices and disputes.

Fuel Escalation Clause

Cash Flow

A contract provision allowing subcontractors to adjust their billing rates when fuel costs rise beyond an agreed threshold. It protects field crews and equipment operators from absorbing unexpected fuel price spikes. Without this clause, subcontractors bear the full risk of fuel cost increases mid-contract.

DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)

Cash Flow

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.

Performance-Based Contract

Cash Flow

A contract where your payment depends on meeting specific targets, such as uptime, output, or safety metrics. Underperforming against those benchmarks can trigger penalties or reduced fees. Subcontractors must track KPIs closely to protect their margins.

Day Rate

Cash Flow

A pricing model where contractors are paid a fixed daily rate for equipment and/or personnel, regardless of the amount of work completed that day.

Dayrate

Cash Flow

A fixed daily fee charged by a subcontractor or equipment provider, regardless of hours worked or output produced. It covers labour, equipment, and overhead for that calendar day. Dayrates are common in drilling, rental, and specialised field service contracts.

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