Labour Standby Cost Calculator
Work out what a standing crew and idle plant cost during a construction delay.
Estimated standby cost
–
Statement details: company, project, dates
Your statement is on its way.
If it isn't in your inbox within a few minutes, check spam or junk.
Standby Cost Statement
| Standing item | Qty | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total standby cost | |||
Figures are estimates shown for illustration, based on the rates entered. They do not determine entitlement to recover standby costs. Recoverability depends on the terms of your subcontract.
Standing time like this is recoverable when the record is right.
This calculator prices one standby event. DelaySolve tracks the delay behind the number: labour, plant, photos, notices and dayworks, so the cost you just estimated is backed by a record you can actually send.
Advanced: working day & on-costs
Converts days standing into charged hours.
Added on top of labour rates only: super/pension, insurances, payroll taxes.
Labour standby guide
What is labour standby cost?
Labour standby cost is the estimated cost of workers being retained on site while planned construction work is delayed or disrupted. This calculator applies editable hourly rates over the hours or days entered. It does not apply overtime, allowances, or contract-specific entitlements.
When should you calculate labour standby?
Useful times to estimate idle labour cost include:
- Access delays or late deliveries holding up crews on site
- Inspections, hold points, or client directions stopping work
- Weather disruption affecting planned labour
- Design issues, concrete supply delays, or incomplete predecessor works
What records support labour standby costs?
Contemporaneous records often include:
- Timesheets and supervisor notes
- Site diary entries and photos
- Delay notices and correspondence
- Dayworks records
How DelaySolve helps
DelaySolve helps subcontractors track delays, labour, plant, evidence, costs, and dayworks in one place, so site records stay linked from the field through to commercial follow-up.
Track labour standby with your delay records
Log delays on site, attach evidence, cost labour and plant, and keep records ready for dayworks and commercial follow-up.