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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Nonresidential Inputs

Materials, labour, and equipment costs tied to commercial and industrial construction projects. Subcontractors track these input costs to price bids accurately and protect margins. Rising input costs can erode fixed-price contract profitability quickly.

Related Terms

Progress Billing

Cash Flow

Invoicing for work completed to date on a longer project, rather than waiting until project completion. Helps subcontractors maintain cash flow on extended jobs.

Breakeven Cost

Cash Flow

The minimum amount a subcontractor must charge to cover all project expenses without making a loss. It includes labour, equipment, fuel, insurance, and overhead. Pricing below breakeven erodes margins and can threaten business viability.

Operating Breakeven

Cash Flow

The minimum revenue a subcontractor must generate to cover all field operating costs without profit or loss. It includes direct costs like labour, fuel, and equipment. Knowing this figure helps crews avoid underpriced bids that drain cash.

Construction Input Costs

Cash Flow

The direct costs subcontractors pay to deliver field work, including labour, materials, fuel, and equipment. These costs fluctuate with market conditions, directly squeezing margins if contracts aren't priced accordingly. Tracking them closely helps subcontractors identify when to renegotiate rates or escalation clauses.

Price Book

Cash Flow

A document listing agreed-upon rates for various services, equipment, and materials between an operator and contractor. Field tickets are validated against the price book before approval.

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.

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