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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Substantial Completion

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.

Related Terms

Unit Rate

Cash Flow

A pricing model where work is billed per unit completed (per meter drilled, per cubic meter hauled, per joint welded, etc.).

Lease Bid

Cash Flow

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.

Rule 144a

Cash Flow

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.

Schedule Iii

Cash Flow

A contract exhibit listing approved subcontractor rates, markups, and reimbursable costs. It governs what you can invoice and at what price. Disputes over billing often trace back to misreading this schedule.

Builders Lien

Cash Flow

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.

Commercial Misalignment

Cash Flow

A disconnect between what a subcontractor quoted and what the client expects to pay for. This often surfaces during invoicing when scope, rates, or billing terms were not clearly agreed upon upfront. It can delay payments and strain relationships with prime contractors.

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