CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
The rate of completion of construction projects falls below the rate at
which they are perceived. This study focuses on 3 key stakeholders in the
delivery of building projects. They are the client, contractors and
consultants. Dlakwa and Culpin (1999) stated that, the main
cause of this failure is the delay experienced in the delivery of the project.
Scott (1993) stated that the completion of construction projects within
prescribed time scale is an important measure of project success. Basically,
all the efforts of these persons involved in building project are directed
towards completing the job within the estimated construction cost, period and
quality. Hence, the actual construction cost, period and the quality of
projects are measures of the success or failure of building projects. This
study recognized the role of the stakeholders to the delivery of projects by
categorizing the factors according to the stakeholders responsible for the
failure.
Therefore, a failed construction project can be
defined as that which is not completed within the estimated construction cost
and construction period. Construction project failure is seen as a function of
time and cost, meaning that for a project to fail at a particular period of
time and cost, does not mean that it cannot serve its purpose in the near
future.
The
degree of project failure varies and has been classified as partial and total
project failure.
Partially failed construction projects are considered
to be any project which exceeds the estimated construction cost and/ or
construction period with or without experiencing suspension for a period of
time (the forefront of this research).
Totally failed construction projects are projects which commence on site but
are not completed and there is no intention of completion (Idebi, 1990).
In as much as these stakeholders involved in construction projects wish
that the project be completed within the estimated construction cost and
period, they in their own way contribute to construction project failure. Other
factors identified as responsible for project failure outside the stakeholders
factors are government policies, inflation and force majeure. Therefore the
study was focused at identifying the perception of the clients, contractors and
consultants in failure of building project.
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
Considering the view of various writers on construction projects, it is
believed that a construction project is successful when it is completed within
the estimated construction cost, construction time and construction quality.
Studies on project failure have been focused on the causes and have
identified several causes of the failure which results into dispute in
construction project. Therefore, time and cost overruns are seen as a conflicting
tool that can lead to failure in construction projects. So, it is important to
identify the key contributory issues that cause failure from the side of the
client, contractors and consultants so as to proffer ways to reduce their
incidents.
1.3 AIM AND
OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 AIM
The study aims at identifying the perception of the clients, contractors
and consultants in failure of building project.
1.3.2 OBJECTIVES
The objectives
of this study are:
·
To examine the contributions of client, consultant and contractor
to building failure and other causes beyond their control.
·
To identify the effect of building failure on the
stakeholders.
·
To assess the remedial actions for the identified
contribution of stakeholders to building failure.
1.4 NEED FOR THE STUDY
The extra
cost and time over the estimated construction cost and period have made it
difficult for the construction industry to meet up to the demand of her
products. The need for
this study is that, in order for the construction industry to meet up to the
demands for her products, an end must be put to construction project failure.
The success of construction projects to an extent depends upon the stakeholders
involved in the delivery of projects and this can be achieved by the
application of a combination of technological knowhow and professional
management of these stakeholders to remedy or control deficiencies in
construction.
1.5 SCOPE AND
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This study is limited to building construction firms and government
organisations who are involved in building construction projects only, located
within Abuja and Kaduna metropolis. Moreover, it laid emphasis on building
construction projects that have been completed or ongoing between the past
20years until date, which must have experienced construction project failure
that complies with the definition of project failure. The stakeholders of
interest shall include the clients, contractors and consultants.