Assessing the effect of rework on cost performance on building construction projects.

Abstract

Rework is considered as a significant figure in influencing the final construction cost of a given building project in Kampala. Yet little is known about it causes and challenges and therefore it remains an innate problem. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of rework on cost performance of on building construction projects with its specific objectives; To identify the causes of rework and determine their degree of occurrence in construction, examine challenges of rework on building construction projects and establish the relationship between the rework and its effect on costs on building construction project. A set of forty-five rework causes that were categorized under seven groups were identified from extensive literature review of previous studies in the same field of study. To obtain relevant information to incorporate in the study for data analysis, 45 questionnaires were distributed and 33 of them were retrieved. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, Relative importance index by employing Stata Software Version 15. The results of this research indicated that poor communication systems, financial weakness, inadequate supervision of construction activities all with µ=3.97 followed by late designer input with µ=3.70 and design errors and omissions with µ=3.70 were found to be the most factors leading to reworks on building projects. Loss of money was the most challenge that was always encountered as a result of reworks on different buildings on the project having about 52% response rate followed by loss of efforts having about 16% responses. The relationship between the perception on the frequency of occurrence and cost of reworks was found stronger in Concrete works (superstructure) and mechanical installations with ρ=0.933 and ρ=0.798. The findings may help construction parties in Uganda case study of Kampala to understand the causes of reworks and the measure to employ in order to mitigate the challenges caused by reworks on building projects. The recommendations of this study may also apply to rework in the construction industry of other developing countries