Commissioning Delay Cost Calculator

Commissioning delays push CO. This calculator sizes delay cost.

Cx budget

Weekly delay cost

Delay weeks

Rework cost/finding

Expected findings

Total delay cost

$187,800

Schedule delay cost

$135,000

Rework total

$52,800

How the math works

Delay cost = weekly × weeks. Rework = findings × per-finding cost. Total = both.

Budget Cx rework against 25-50 findings as a base case, not zero. Zero findings means the commissioning agent isn't doing their job; plan for findings as expected output, and schedule the rework time into the critical path rather than treating each as a separate delay.

How to Use

Enter commissioning budget.
Enter weekly delay cost (carry + crew + lost rent).
Enter expected delay weeks.
Enter rework cost per finding.
Enter expected findings.
Read total delay cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cx?

Commissioning: verification that mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems operate per design. Typical Cx budget 0.5-2% of construction. Required by many green certifications (LEED, Energy Star). Common findings: poor balancing, incorrect control sequences, misbehaving valves.

Typical Cx delays?

1-4 weeks Cx-driven delay common. Complex systems (hospital, lab, data center): 4-12+ weeks. Each finding requires rework + re-test. Budget 15-30 findings on moderate-size MF; 50-150 on complex commercial.

Mitigation?

Early Cx engagement (design phase). Factory testing on equipment before shipment. Functional testing as equipment is installed. Shortens final Cx from 4-8 weeks to 1-3 weeks and removes CO-critical delays.

Who owns this risk — sponsor or lender?

Construction risks are typically shared: hard-cost overrun owned by sponsor (via completion guaranty), soft-cost and delay risks shared per contract, force-majeure excused but bears owner carry cost. Document risk ownership in the loan agreement and GC contract before closing. Disputes get expensive when roles are unclear. Institutional deals spell out every allocation in writing.