| dc.description.abstract | According to Kioko (2014) building defects occur due to use of sub-standard building materials,
poor workmanship by contractors, use of incompetent contractors, faulty construction
methodology, heavy downpour, non-compliance with specifications or standards by developers
and contractors, lack of supervision, poor inspection and monitoring, structural defects,
defective design/structure, illegal conversion, and alterations. Building failure occurs when the
building loses its ability to perform its intended (design) function. Building defects can be a
result of design error by the architect, a manufacturing flaw, defective materials, improper use
or installation of materials, lack of adherence to the design by the contractor, or any combination
of them (Othman et. al., 2014).
Residential buildings are the ones, which experience most of the defects or failures due to poor
workmanship (Othman et. al., (2014). Poor workmanship problems are closely related to the
developer and the contractor that constructs the buildings. 90% of the building failures are due
to problems arising in the design and construction stages (Ahzahar et. al., 2011). Ahzahar et. al.,
(2011) further observes that these problems include poor communication, inadequate
information, or failure to check information, inadequate checks and controls, lack of technical
expertise and skills, and inadequate feedback leading to recurring errors. Most defects in
construction projects are due to human errors and these happen due to poor performance in
workmanship during construction (Atkinson, 1999). Most contractors working in the
construction industry are beginners with low levels of construction skills and capacity to
discharge their duties (Othman et, al., 2014).
Othman et, al., (2014) observesthat most of the site work and finishing works are subcontracted;
This is done with the objective of creating job opportunities to the rural poor without
qualifications and proper on-the-job training and subsequently the effects are manifested by
poor workmanship on the buildings. According to Othman (2014), lack of experience and
competence of labourers must be considered as a factor that contributes to poor workmanship
as “productivity cannot be achieved by speed and harder work only without adopting betterwork practices”. Poor workmanship is one of the popular factors that lead to building failures
in Uganda according to UNABCEC (2017). | en_US |
