Operating Days

Clients committed to regular, ongoing work under standing agreements or master service contracts. For subcontractors, firm customers provide predictable scheduling and steady revenue. They reduce reliance on spot work and help justify keeping crews and equipment mobilised.

A 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.

Materials or equipment stored at your job site but owned by the supplier until you use them. You only pay when items are consumed, reducing upfront capital tied up on remote projects. Common for frequently used consumables like fittings, gaskets, and PPE on long-duration field contracts.

A variable fee added to invoices to recover fuel cost fluctuations on equipment-heavy jobs. Subcontractors often tie it to a published index, such as the weekly rack price. Review prime contracts carefully — some owners cap or exclude surcharges entirely.

A contract clause where a general contractor delays paying subcontractors until the owner pays them first. This shifts financial risk downstream to subcontractors and field service companies. Review these clauses carefully, as they can significantly impact your cash flow on long projects.

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.

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.