The total value of contracted work that has not yet been completed. Used by bonding companies to assess contractor capacity and risk.
Work on Hand (WOH)
Related Terms
Bid Accuracy
Cash FlowHow closely a submitted bid reflects the actual cost of completing a job. Poor bid accuracy leads to underbilling, cost overruns, or lost contracts. Subcontractors track it to sharpen estimating and protect margins.
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.
Estimating Backlog
Cash FlowThe queue of pending bids and quotes a subcontractor has not yet completed or submitted to clients. A large estimating backlog can delay securing new work and strain small estimating teams. Tracking it helps prioritise high-value opportunities and allocate quoting resources effectively.
CWIP (Construction Work in Progress)
Cash FlowAn accounting category tracking costs for projects not yet complete or placed into service. For subcontractors, your invoiced work may sit in a client's CWIP account until project completion. This can affect payment timing and how clients prioritise approving your billings.
Headline Inflation
Cash FlowThe overall rate of price increases across the economy, including fuel and materials. For subcontractors, it signals rising operating costs that may not be covered by fixed-rate contracts. Monitor it when renegotiating agreements or submitting bids.
Emergency Relief Funding
Cash FlowShort-term financial assistance available to subcontractors facing sudden revenue loss due to site shutdowns, disasters, or contract cancellations. Funding may come from government programmes, industry associations, or lenders. Eligibility often requires proof of active contracts and demonstrated financial hardship.
Latest Cash Flow News
Hudson 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.
7 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.
23 days 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.
28 days agoCash FlowTrump Administration Appeals Ruling Blocking Hudson Tunnel Funding Freeze
The Justice Department has appealed a federal court ruling that barred DOT from withholding funds on the $16B Hudson Tunnel Project, though reimbursements and construction continue for now, ENR reports.
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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