Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5592/otmcj.2013.1.11
Professionals’ views of material wastage on construction sites and cost overruns
Ameh Oko John
Daniel Emmanuel Itodo
Abstract
It is believed that building material wastage on construction sites account for cost overruns and any improvement
in building materials management on construction sites
has the potential to enhance the construction industry’s
performance with cost-saving benefits. The purpose of this
study is to identify the most wasteful building material during
construction operation. It also sets out to assess the level of
material wastage with various subcontracting options, the
percentage contribution of material wastage to project cost overrun, identify factors contributing to material waste on building
sites and to examine the relationship between subcontracting
options, project cost overrun and the level of waste generated
from building material. A survey research design was employed.
Responses from 56 site based professionals representing 70%
of the respondents were analysed using both descriptive and
inferential statistics. Results indicate that the most wasteful
building material during construction operation is mortar from
plastering/rendering; labour-only subcontracting options have
high contribution to material wastage. Furthermore, the study
revealed that the average percentage contribution of building
material wastage to project cost overrun is between 21-30%;
Poor supervision, re-work, and poor material handling were
identified as dominant factors that have high contribution to
material wastage on sites. Finally, the result also shows that
there is a relationship between subcontracting options, cost
overrun and waste generated from building material during construction. Measures to reduce material wastage on construction
sites were proposed.Improvement in building materials management on construction sites has the potential to enhance the
construction industry’s performance with cost-saving benefits.
Keywords
Material wastage; Cost overruns; Contractual options; Construction; Nigeria
Hrčak ID:
105241
URI
Publication date:
8.7.2013.
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