Standby (standby Time)

A guaranteed minimum volume of work contracted over a set period. For subcontractors, baseload provides predictable revenue and justifies keeping crews and equipment on standby. It is the foundation around which additional spot or call-out work is scheduled.

A U.S. securities regulation allowing large private companies to raise capital without a public stock listing. For subcontractors, it signals a major client may have access to significant private funding. This can affect contract stability and payment capacity on large projects.

Legal protections allowing subcontractors to place a claim against a property or project if payment is withheld. Filing a lien can prevent an owner from selling or refinancing until your invoice is settled. Deadlines to file are strict and vary by province, so act quickly when payment stalls.

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.

An unplanned increase in project costs due to rising material prices, labour rates, or scope changes. Subcontractors without escalation clauses in their contracts absorb these overruns directly. Always negotiate cost escalation provisions before signing fixed-price agreements.

A variable fee added to invoices to offset rising fuel costs for equipment, vehicles, and machinery. Rates are typically tied to a published fuel index and adjusted weekly or monthly. Subcontractors should confirm surcharge terms in their master service agreements before mobilising.

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.