EVALUATION OF MATERIALS WASTAGE ON CONSTRUCTION COST

Abstract

This study focused on evaluation of material wastage on construction cost. The methods employed to collect data include review of relevant literature and structured questionnaire. The statistical techniques used to analyze the data collected are the percentage, graphical and chi-square statistics. The results of analysis showed that the three most important factors contributing to construction material waste generation on building sites, Nigeria are rework contrary to drawing and specification design changes and revision” and “waste from uneconomical shapes respectively. It was also discovered that inappropriate equipment contributed least to waste generation on site and there is little “bottle neck” in obtaining work permit by contractors in most state in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The construction industry contributes to the socio-economic growth of any nation by improving the quality of life and providing the infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, schools, and other basic facilities. Hence, it is imperative that construction projects are completed within the scheduled period of time, within the budgeted cost, and meet the anticipated quality. According to Osmani and Glass (2008), the construction industry plays a leading role in improving the quality of the built environment, but its activities also impact on the wider environment in a number of ways, including waste production. The construction industry is associated with high energy consumption, resource depletion, large amount of waste generation, and is one of the biggest environmental polluters. The construction industry also consumes large quantities of raw materials (Sasidharani and Jayanthi, 2015). Construction material contributes significantly to the cost of construction project; therefore, material wastage has adverse impact on construction cost, contractor’s profit margin, construction duration and can be a possible source of dispute among parties to a project (Enshassi, Mohammed and Abushaban, 2009). However, being a complex industry, it is faced with the severe problems of cost overruns, time overruns, and construction waste (Abdul-Rahman, Memon & AbdKarim, 2013; Dania, Kehinde & Bala, 2007; Tam, 2008). The majority of this waste has not been well managed, thus causing substantial health and environmental problems (Imam, Mohammed, Wilson & Cheesman, 2018), and affecting the performance of many projects in Nigeria (Adewuyi & Otali, 2013; Ameh & Itodo, 2013; Oladiran, 2019). Construction material constitutes a major cost component in any construction project. The cost of materials may be 50% to 70% of the total construction cost depending on type of projects til and Pataskar, 2013; Aribisala, 1990). Unfortunately, this large portion of materials is not wholly utilized by the industry. Evidence shows that approximately 40% of the waste generated globally originates from the construction and demolition of buildings (Holm, 2018) and this forms a major portion of the solid waste discarded in land-fills around the world. Almond (2011) in his research publication declared that wastes from construction industry account for 44% of total waste generated in developed countries while it is about 30% in developing nations. Materials are very vital on building sites, but not all the materials delivered to site are used for the purposes for which they have been ordered for and the subsequent disappearance of these materials constitutes part of waste. Waste according to Polat and Ballard (2005), is defined as “any substance or object that was discarded, intended to be discarded, or are required to be discarded which is subjected to a number of regulatory requirements There have been different definitions of construction material waste by different authors. For the purpose of this study, building material wastage can be defined as the difference between the value of materials delivered and accepted on site and those properly used as specified and accurately measured in the work after deducting the cost saving of substituted materials transferred elsewhere in which unnecessary cost and time may be incurred by the material wastage (Shen and Tam, 2002). The causes of construction material waste can be measured and evaluated using a large number of construction phase related factors such as design and documentation, materials procurement and management, site management practices and site supervision including environmental conditions. The first set is related to designers and client’s requirements; the people who consider the functional requirement of the building. The second set is related to construction team and contractors; people who consider the buildability and maintainability of the building. The third set is related to the site supervisors and the site operatives; people who are directly involved in the art of putting the raw materials together to form the building envelop. Teo et al. (2009) observed that extra construction materials are usually purchased due to material wastage during construction. Previous studies from various countries have confirmed that waste represents relatively larger percentage of production. Tam et al. (2007) in a study in the United Kingdom reported an additional cost of 15% to construction project cost overruns as a result of material wastage. Bossink and Brouwers (2016) stated that material wastage accounts for between 20-30% project cost overruns. It is therefore glaring that the economic losses from construction material waste could pose a great threat to the economic growth of a nation. There is a growing consensus within the built environment in Nigeria that building materials account for over 50% of the total cost of a building project (Akinkurolere and Franklin, 2005).

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Wastage on construction site has become a canker worm in Nigerian construction industry. This problem has negatively affected the performance of many projects in Nigeria. Obiegbu (2002) noted that wastage in construction firms has come to stay considering the fact that at least 5% is attained when preparing the estimate for a project which is usually not adequate. Wastage is seen in many ways as peculiarity of construction projects. This means that many construction works have wastage because it is an issue that cannot be divorced from construction work.  This in turn has skyrocket the construction cost. It is in view of this that the researcher intend to investigate the effect of material wastage on construction cost.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study has one main objective which is sub-divided into the general objective and the specific objective. The general objective is on evaluation of material wastage on construction cost. The specific objectives are:

1. To examine the effect of material wastage on construction cost
2. To examine the relationship between material wastage and construction cost

• To examine the impact of material wastage on cost construction completion

1. To examine if there is any significant impact of material wastage on construction cost
   • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Dose material wastage have any effect on construction cost?
2. Is there any significant relationship between material wastage and construction cost?

• Does material wastage have any impact on cost construction completion?

1. Is there any significant impact of material wastage on construction cost?
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study

H₀: There is no significant impact of material wastage on construction cost

H₁: There is a significant impact of material wastage on construction cost

H₀: There is no significant relationship between material wastage and construction cost

H₂: There is a significant relationship between material wastage and construction cost

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of great importance to site manager as the findings of this study seek to explore the effect of material wastage on the cost of construction project.

Construction processes by its very nature allow for wastages to occur, it is often prone to large scale waste if proper attention is not paid to materials both in handling and in storage. Since wastage is a loss in monetary terms, a large scale loss may result in complete loss of profit to contractor most especially in this present days of competitive tendering resulting in low percentage charges on profit and overheads. As such the study will be of importance to construction contractors. The study will also be of importance to researcher who intend to embark on a study in a similar topic as the findings will serve as a reference point to further studies.

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the evaluation of materials wastage on construction cost. In the course of the study, there are some factors that limited the scope of the study;

AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Building Material

Building material is material used for construction. Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, rocks, sand and wood, even twigs and leaves, have been used to construct buildings.

Material wastage

Building material wastage can also be defined as the difference between the value of materials delivered and accepted on site and those properly used as specified and accurately measured in the work after deducting the cost saving of substituted materials transferred elsewhere in which unnecessary cost and time may be.

Construction cost

Construction Cost means the total cost of the work to the owner of all elements of the project designed or specified by the design professional including the cost at current market rates of labor and materials furnished by the owner and equipment designed, specified or specifically provided by the design professional

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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