Home » Free Calculators » Delay & Disruption Cost Calculator

Quick time-related cost estimate for delays and disruption.
Internal order-of-magnitude figure. Formal claims need substantiation (records, programmes, correspondence).

Delay Period
weeks
d/wk
h/d
Labour Impact
no.
£/hr
All-in (wages + oncosts)
%
100 % = fully idle, 30 % = partially disrupted
Time-Related Costs (per week)
£/wk
Welfare, temp utilities, etc.
£/wk
£/wk
One-offs & Markup
£
%
Optional markup (varies by contract)
Enter headcount to estimate delay cost
Indicative time-related cost estimate using site-hours × labour rate × disruption factor + weekly prelims + one-offs + OH&P. Methodology adapted from SCL Delay & Disruption Protocol (2nd ed., 2017) measured-mile principles. Internal order-of-magnitude only. Formal claims require substantiation with programmes, daily records, and correspondence. For design guidance only. Always verify with a qualified quantity surveyor / claims consultant.

About this delay & disruption cost calculator

This free delay & disruption cost calculator produces a quick, order-of-magnitude estimate of the time-related cost of a hold-up on site. You enter the delay duration in weeks, your working pattern (days per week and site hours per day), the affected headcount and labour rate, plus weekly time-related costs and any one-off rework, and it returns the indicative financial impact with a full component breakdown. It is built for UK building-services engineers, contractors and subcontractors who need a fast internal figure to gauge the scale of a disruption before commissioning detailed work.

How the cost is estimated

The estimate has four parts. Labour disruption is site hours × labour rate × an idle/disruption factor, where site hours are weeks × working days per week × hours per day, and the factor scales from 100 % (fully idle) down to a partial figure such as 30 % (partially disrupted). Time-related costs sum the weekly site prelims, supervision/PM and plant or hire extension, multiplied by the number of weeks. Any rework or abortive works are added as a one-off, and an optional overheads & profit (OH&P) percentage is applied to the subtotal. The methodology is adapted from the Society of Construction Law (SCL) Delay & Disruption Protocol (2nd ed., 2017) measured-mile principles.

Reviewed by
Managing Director at Ensign Software. Over 20 years working with UK mechanical, electrical, MEP, ductwork and insulation contractors.
Each calculator cites the standard it follows. For design guidance only: always verify the result with a qualified engineer.

Frequently asked questions

What does the idle/disruption factor mean?

It is the proportion of the affected labour time that is lost. Set it to 100 % when the workforce is fully idle, or lower, for example 30 %. When work continued but at reduced productivity.

Can I use this figure in a formal claim?

No. It is an internal, order-of-magnitude estimate only. Formal claims require substantiation with programmes, daily records and correspondence, and should be verified with a qualified quantity surveyor or claims consultant.

What should the labour cost rate include?

Use an all-in rate covering wages plus oncosts. The calculator applies it per site hour across the affected headcount for the delay period.

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