A directive where a contractor is authorised to begin work before a formal purchase order is issued. The subcontractor agrees on a price verbally or in writing, then mobilises immediately. Common in urgent field situations, but carries payment risk if terms aren't confirmed in writing.
Price and Proceed
Related Terms
Tranche
Cash FlowA portion of a larger contract or payment released in stages upon meeting set milestones or schedules. Subcontractors are often paid in tranches tied to project phases or work completions. Understanding tranche structures helps you plan cash flow and resource deployment accordingly.
Close-Out
Cash FlowThe final phase of a contract where all work is confirmed complete, documentation is submitted, and outstanding invoices are settled. For subcontractors, delays in close-out often mean delayed final payment. Completing punch lists, timesheets, and lien waivers promptly helps accelerate the process.
Dayrate
Cash FlowA 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.
LEM (Labour, Equipment, Materials)
Cash FlowA breakdown of costs on a field ticket or invoice, separating charges into labor hours, equipment usage, and materials consumed.
Nonresidential Inputs
Cash FlowMaterials, 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.
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.
Latest Cash Flow News
Kinder Morgan Lifts Force Majeure, Restores Mexico Gas Flows on Tennessee Gas
Kinder Morgan has resumed US-Mexico gas deliveries on its Tennessee Gas Pipeline and lifted force majeure after repairs. Here is what the restart means for integrity, outage-window and callout crews, and for their cash flow.
9 days agoCash FlowHudson Tunnel Boring Starts on $16B Project Amid Funding Fights
Tunnel boring machines are set to start cutting through 5,100 feet of Palisades rock on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project. Subcontractors should weigh payment and federal funding exposure before signing on.
23 days agoCash FlowClaremore Data Center Deal Sends $172M to Oklahoma Schools, County
A Beale Infrastructure data center project near Claremore, Oklahoma will pay $172 million in PILOT funds to local schools and county agencies over 25 years, with Sequoyah Public Schools receiving the largest share at $100 million.
1 month agoCash FlowUtilities Tighten Large-Load Tariffs With Upfront Fees, Longer Contracts
A new LBNL and Brattle Group analysis finds utilities increasingly requiring upfront payments, exit fees, and ramp schedules for large-load customers like data centers, a shift that will slow project timelines for grid-tie and on-site generation subcontractors.
1 month 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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