When a contract goes entirely unfulfilled, it clearly has the potential to cause financial harm.
For example, say that a roofing company puts in an order for materials and supplies, and then sets up jobs in anticipation of having received that delivery. If the necessary supplies never arrive, the roofing company cannot do the job, and the homeowner or business owner who hired them may turn to other options. There is significant financial harm because the roofing company has lost a customer and all of the related income, and there could be damage to the business’s reputation, as well.
But it is important to remember that, even if the contract is fulfilled eventually, just missing a deadline could still cause harm.
Lost hours of productivity
Missed deadlines can still impact productivity, which can affect a company’s bottom line.
Say the aforementioned roofing materials were meant to be delivered on a Monday, but they did not arrive until Friday. Technically, the material supplier did fulfill their end of the bargain and delivered the materials that were paid for. But because they are multiple days late, the roofing company has lost almost an entire week of productivity. This could impact their schedule and make it impossible for them to take other lucrative jobs. Therefore, even though the contract was fulfilled, missing the deadline could still qualify as a contract breach, and the roofing company may be able to pursue litigation over the related damages.
Contractual disagreements can be complex, especially when both sides do not see eye to eye about specific deadlines or other requirements in the contract. When disputes arise or litigation becomes necessary, it can help to work with an experienced attorney.