The point when a project is complete enough for the owner to use it for its intended purpose. For subcontractors, it typically triggers final invoicing and starts the defect liability period. Holdbacks or retainage are often released shortly after this milestone.
Cash FlowGlossary Term
Substantial Completion
Related Terms
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.
Miller Act
Cash FlowA U.S. federal law requiring prime contractors on government projects to post payment bonds protecting subcontractors and suppliers. If unpaid, subs can file a claim directly against the bond. This provides a critical payment remedy when the prime contractor defaults.
CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries)
Cash FlowA centralised system used by operators to consolidate and process contractor timesheets, work records, and billing entries. Subcontractors submit field data through CAPE to trigger payment and compliance verification. Accurate, timely entries are critical to avoiding payment delays.
Backlog
Cash FlowThe total value of contracted work that has been awarded but not yet completed. A healthy backlog signals steady upcoming revenue and helps subcontractors plan crew deployment and equipment needs. Thin backlogs often signal the need to ramp up bidding activity.
Day Rate
Cash FlowA pricing model where contractors are paid a fixed daily rate for equipment and/or personnel, regardless of the amount of work completed that day.
Work on Hand (WOH)
Cash FlowThe total value of contracted work that has not yet been completed. Used by bonding companies to assess contractor capacity and risk.
Latest Cash Flow News
Cash Flow
Mammoth Energy Still Owed $20M for 2017 Puerto Rico Storm Work
Nearly nine years after Hurricane Maria, Mammoth Energy subsidiary Cobra Acquisitions is still collecting on Puerto Rico power restoration invoices, with $20 million outstanding as of June 2026, OK Energy Today reports.
6 days agoCash FlowGordie Howe Bridge Opens to Pedestrians as Vehicle Traffic Begins
The Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit opened to pedestrians and cyclists this week, following last week's opening to motorists, according to a Canadian Press report via Daily Commercial News.
17 days agoCash FlowTalos Energy Takes 50% Stake in Repsol's Deepwater Mexico Block
Talos Energy will pay up to $50 million to acquire a 50% working interest in Repsol's Block 29 offshore Mexico, targeting FID in 2027 on a discovery holding over 200 MMboe.
25 days agoCash FlowGordie Howe Bridge Set to Open Monday After Canada-Only Ceremony
Windsor held a Canada-only ceremony for the Gordie Howe International Bridge ahead of Monday's opening, after Ottawa scrapped a joint U.S. event amid tariff tensions.
1 month agoRelated Guides
Cash Flow Guide
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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