Effect of Cost Control on Building Projects Delivery in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper determined the effects of Cost Control Techniques on building projects delivery for both government and private developers based on quality, time and cost. Interviews were conducted for selected Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Civil Engineers, Builders, and Contractors. Observations were also made on construction sites of government and private developers. The study was carried out in south-western Nigeria and data collected were analysed by percentages. Results from interview and observation showed that, Bill of Quantities and other cost control techniques was utilised on government building contracts while none of the cost control techniques was utilised by private developers. Results also show that: quality is high on 92.13% projects on government sites and 24.2% on private developer’s sites. On government sites 2.25% and 6.74% of projects were respectively completed before and at the agreed time while on private developer’s sites, there is no record of agreed time. It was discovered that, 11.24% projects got completed above reasonable time and 88.76% were completed after abandonment for a period of time. On government sites, 3.37% and 7.87% of building contracts were respectively completed at lower standards but at agreed cost, while there is no agreed cost record or cost limit on private developer site. Meanwhile, 12.36% of the projects were completed far above reasonable cost and 87.64% completed at reasonable cost. It is recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria should make regulations to compel private developers to utilise cost control techniques, so as to raise quality of building projects, zero down delivery time and ultimate cost. All these will minimise building collapses and abandonment of building projects.

Keywords: Cost Control, Bill of Quantities, Quality, Time, Cost, Private Developers, Nigeria.