Assessing the impact of cost control techniques on construction projects in Kampala.

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the impact of cost control techniques on construction projects in Kampala. The specific objectives of the study were to identify the cost control techniques used on construction of projects, to determine the causes of cost overruns on construction projects, to determine the problems encountered in the implementation of the cost control techniques on construction projects and to recommend cost control techniques which can be effectively utilized to minimize cost overruns. The study used a cross sectional study design and both methods of data collection were employed. Qualitative methods included review of articles and other published documents. Quantitative methods included data collection from the field using well-structured questionnaires. The study population consisted of 57 quantity surveyors and 45 class A contractors from where the sample size of the study was drawn using Krejci’s method of sample size determination. The collected data analyzed using SPSS software and presented in form of tables, pie charts and graphs. The data was ranked using relative index and its skewness was determined using the mean score. The mode was used to further aid the data analysis. The results indicated that respondents were strongly agreeing to inflation of project costs, improper planning, mistake in design, construction cost under estimation, omissions and errors in the bills of quantities, lack of experience for contractors, force majeure and unsuitable construction equipment and methods being factors influencing cost overruns and with ranking inaccurate cost estimation was considered by the respondents as the main factor influencing cost overruns. On techniques to control cost overruns, frequent progress meetings daily material and labour controlling, perform a preconstruction planning of project tasks and resources needed, breaking down work portions, record keeping of project costs, monitoring work and cost performance and evaluation of work carried out were strongly agreed upon by the respondents. Inspection of completed works was ranked first. Among mitigation measures, respondents strongly agreed that supervision of ongoing work, allocation of adequate contingency allowance, appointment of experienced sub-contractors and control of design changes can be used to control cost overruns. However, the relative index indicated that supervision of ongoing work was ranked as the first mitigation measure for controlling cost overruns.