The Hidden Expense of Downtime: How Theft Delays Cost Construction Firms Millions

December 09, 2025

While theft itself is costly, the project delays caused by theft can be even more expensive.

 

Downtime Statistics

  • A single equipment theft causes 2–4 days of project delay.

  • Each day of delay costs contractors $5,000–$12,000 in labor, rentals, and penalties.

  • 52% of contractors report schedule disruptions due to theft.

  • Insurance claims can delay equipment replacement by weeks, not days.

  • Total impact often exceeds the actual theft value by 300–500%.

The Real Financial Impact Example

If a $15,000 generator is stolen:

  • Replacement delay = 3 days

  • Downtime cost = ~$21,000

  • Total loss = $36,000

How wifieye Eliminates Downtime

  • Verified monitoring = quicker police response

  • Deterrence = fewer theft events

  • Real-time alerts = prevent damage before it causes delays