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.
