Scope Creep

A legal claim registered against a property when a subcontractor hasn't been paid for work or materials provided. It secures your right to payment by encumbering the owner's title. Filing deadlines are strict, so act quickly if invoices go unpaid.

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.

A formal pricing submission to secure a contract for equipment, vehicles, or workspace on a lease basis. Subcontractors use lease bids to compete for longer-term site access or equipment rental agreements. Winning a lease bid typically locks in your daily or monthly rate for the contract duration.

The total dollar value of unpaid invoices a subcontractor has outstanding with a single client at any given time. High face exposure increases financial risk if a client delays payment or becomes insolvent. Subcontractors should monitor face exposure closely to avoid over-reliance on one payer.

The point when a client formally accepts and begins using delivered equipment or a completed scope of work. For subcontractors, this date often triggers final billing milestones or warranty periods. Confirm it in writing to protect your payment rights.

A fee billed to clients to reserve your crew, equipment, or services during a set period — whether fully utilised or not. It protects subcontractors from revenue loss during standby or low-demand phases. Common in long-term service agreements for drilling, frac, or maintenance contracts.

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