Disruption means crews work slower than planned. Late information, stacked trades or a changed sequence can cause it. The job can still finish on time at a higher cost.
How it flows
A 2025 NSW case shows the risk. In CPB Contractors Pty Limited v Transport for NSW [2025] NSWSC 1005, the court struck out part of a contractor's claim for delay costs on a Pacific Highway upgrade. It held that this contract paid delay costs only for the days that extended the completion date. Disruption that did not move that date earned nothing.
Read your contract for each clause that pays costs. If the delay cost clause pays only for days of extension, check whether another clause, such as the variation clause, covers the lost productivity.
Prove disruption with records made at the time. Compare output in a clean period with output in the disrupted period. This is the measured mile method. Daily labour hours and quantities make the comparison.
Sometimes. A disruption claim pays for lost productivity when the finish date holds, but only if the contract allows it. Some contracts pay delay costs only for days that extend the completion date.
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