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Plant Downtime Cost Calculator

Work out what idle plant costs during a construction delay.

Estimated downtime cost

Labour Plant

Statement details: company, project, dates

Plant Downtime 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.

How long is the plant standing?

Plant standing
Crew standing
Advanced: working day & on-costs

Converts days standing into charged hours.

Added on top of labour rates only: super/pension, insurances, payroll taxes.

Plant downtime guide

What is plant downtime cost?

Plant downtime cost is the estimated cost of machinery or equipment sitting idle while planned construction work is delayed. This calculator uses hourly downtime rates only. It does not apply day rates, standby charges, or contract-specific entitlements.

When should you calculate plant downtime?

Useful times to estimate idle plant cost include:

  • Access delays or late deliveries holding up plant on site
  • Inspections, hold points, or client directions stopping work
  • Weather disruption affecting planned plant use
  • Design issues or incomplete predecessor works

What records support plant downtime costs?

Contemporaneous records often include:

  • Plant records and hire or internal rate sheets
  • Site diary entries and photos
  • Delay notices and correspondence
  • Delivery dockets and 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 plant downtime with your delay records

Log delays on site, attach evidence, cost labour and plant, and keep records ready for dayworks and commercial follow-up.