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Abstract
Building defects have become a critical issue in the Nigerian construction industry, contributing to structural failures, safety risks, economic losses, and increased incidence of building collapses. This study investigates the perceptions of built environment professionals regarding the causes, frequency, and prevention strategies for building defects in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A quantitative research approach was adopted involving administering structured questionnaire to 114 professionals comprising Engineers, Architects, Builders, Quantity Surveyors, and Estate Surveyors. Data were analyzed using Mean Item Score and the
Mann-Whitney U test. Findings revealed that cracks in walls/foundations, poor drainage, and roof leaks are the most prevalent defects across both public and private buildings in Benin City. The findings show no significant difference in the occurrence of defects between public and private sectors, highlighting industry-wide challenges such as poor workmanship, inadequate maintenance, and the use of substandard materials. A critical finding of the study is the lack of regular maintenance culture and insufficient professional oversight, which significantly contributed to the defects of building and facilities. The study recommends stricter enforcement of building codes, improved quality control, regular maintenance, and enhancedprofessional training to mitigate building defects. The study further recommends that policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders should aimed at improving building performance, safety, and durability within the rapidly growing urban environment of Benin City. Furthermore, the research highlights the need for a more integrated and collaborative approach among stakeholders, including government regulatory bodies, construction professionals, and property developers. The study also emphasized that while both public and private buildings face similar defect challenges, systemic issues such as corruption, budgetary constraints, and poor policy implementation exacerbate the situation in the public sector. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by presenting a contextual analysis of building defects specific to Benin City, offering both empirical data and practical recommendations. The adoption of digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), improved regulatory compliance, and investment in capacity building for construction professionals are proposed as sustainable strategies. Ultimately, thisresearch underscores the importance of proactive maintenance planning, quality assurance, and stakeholder education in fostering a
safer, more resilient built environment in Nigeria
Mann-Whitney U test. Findings revealed that cracks in walls/foundations, poor drainage, and roof leaks are the most prevalent defects across both public and private buildings in Benin City. The findings show no significant difference in the occurrence of defects between public and private sectors, highlighting industry-wide challenges such as poor workmanship, inadequate maintenance, and the use of substandard materials. A critical finding of the study is the lack of regular maintenance culture and insufficient professional oversight, which significantly contributed to the defects of building and facilities. The study recommends stricter enforcement of building codes, improved quality control, regular maintenance, and enhancedprofessional training to mitigate building defects. The study further recommends that policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders should aimed at improving building performance, safety, and durability within the rapidly growing urban environment of Benin City. Furthermore, the research highlights the need for a more integrated and collaborative approach among stakeholders, including government regulatory bodies, construction professionals, and property developers. The study also emphasized that while both public and private buildings face similar defect challenges, systemic issues such as corruption, budgetary constraints, and poor policy implementation exacerbate the situation in the public sector. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by presenting a contextual analysis of building defects specific to Benin City, offering both empirical data and practical recommendations. The adoption of digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), improved regulatory compliance, and investment in capacity building for construction professionals are proposed as sustainable strategies. Ultimately, thisresearch underscores the importance of proactive maintenance planning, quality assurance, and stakeholder education in fostering a
safer, more resilient built environment in Nigeria
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