What is prolongation cost and can a contractor claim it in the UAE?

Prolongation cost is the additional time-related expenditure a contractor incurs because the project is extended beyond the original completion date — typically site overheads such as staff, site accommodation, plant standing time, and supervision that continue during the extended period. A contractor can claim prolongation cost in the UAE where it has a valid entitlement to an extension of time for an employer-risk delay event and can prove the additional cost was actually and reasonably incurred as a result. The claim usually sits alongside the extension-of-time claim and must follow the contract's notice and particulars procedure; an EOT does not automatically carry money, so cost must be separately substantiated. Crucially, the cost must be linked to the delay event and supported by records — global or unsubstantiated claims are routinely reduced or rejected. Under UAE law the contract governs entitlement, subject to mandatory provisions. Keep contemporaneous cost records and a clear cause-and-effect narrative tied to the delay. Because prolongation claims are evidence-intensive, expert and legal support helps. Compare verified UAE construction professionals on LEXAI.