Preventive vs Reactive Maintenance: Cost Comparison 2026

The Reactive Trap

Reactive maintenance (fix when broken) seems cheaper upfront but costs 3-5x more in the long run.

Cost Comparison Example

Scenario	Reactive Cost	Preventive Cost	Savings
Server failure	₹25,000 emergency repair + ₹50,000 downtime	₹5,000 quarterly PM	₹70,000/year
AC failure in server room	₹15,000 emergency + ₹20,000 overheating damage	₹3,000 quarterly service	₹32,000/year
Printer breakdown	₹8,000 emergency repair + 4 hours downtime	₹1,000 monthly cleaning	₹7,000/year

ROI of Preventive Maintenance

For every ₹1 spent on preventive maintenance, companies save ₹3-5 in avoided emergency costs. The ROI is 200-400%.