DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING

Construction projects are frequently affected by labour-related problems that disrupt project delivery and reduce overall performance. This study examined labour-related factors affecting construction project performance in Edo State. It evaluated the frequency and severity of labourrelated factors, ascertained differences in the severity of labour-related factors on the performance of construction projects and determined the influence of labour-related factors on project cost performance in Edo State. A quantitative research approach was employed through the administration of a structured questionnaire to professionals in contracting firms such as architects, builders, M&E engineers, quantity surveyors, civil and structural engineers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kruskal Wallis H test to determine, differences in the effects of labour-related factors on project cost performance in Edo State. The findings reveal that, the most frequent and severe labour-related factor affecting project cost performance is time management. The severity of most labour-related factors do not differ for different firm sizes and cost performance levels. However, the severity of occupational education level and experience was observed to be significantly different among micro, small and medium construction firms. While training was observed to be significantly different for different cost performance levels. The study recommends that micro construction firms should employ highly skilled and experienced labourers. The study demonstrated the contribution of labour-related factors to construction cost performance.

Building collapse remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s construction industry, resulting in significant loss of lives, injuries, and economic setbacks. Despite the existence of regulatory frameworks such as the Nigerian Building Code and the activities of monitoring agencies, incidences of structural failure continue to occur. In Edo State, although regulatory compliance efforts have shown improvements in recent years, isolated collapse events such as the 2024 three-storey building failure in Benin City highlight the need for a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of quality assurance mechanisms. This study investigated the influence of quality assurance mechanisms in mitigating building collapse incidences in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the quality assurance mechanisms available for collapse prevention, identified the factors influencing their effectiveness, and assessed their overall level of effectiveness. A quantitative survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 268 construction professionals, of which 200 were validly completed and returned, representing an 84% response rate. Descriptive statistics and the Mean Item Score (MIS) technique were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that a broad range of quality assurance mechanisms are considered essential in mitigating collapse, with Quality Control Plans and Checklists (MIS = 4.10) and Defect Liability Period and Snagging (MIS = 4.09) ranked highest. Supply-chain challenges, weak regulatory enforcement, economic constraints, and poor procurement practices were identified as the most critical factors influencing QA effectiveness. The assessment of QA performance further showed that Continuous Monitoring and Feedback Loops (MIS = 4.54) and Mock-ups/Prototype Works (MIS = 4.53) were perceived as the most effective tools for collapse prevention. The study concludes that preventing building collapse requires an integrated and multi-layered quality assurance framework supported by strong regulatory enforcement, improved material control, enhanced professional supervision, and capacity development. It recommends strengthening regulatory institutions, adopting digital QA tools, improving supply-chain transparency, and implementing continuous professional training to enhance construction quality and safeguard public safety in Edo State.

This study evaluates the use of digital technologies within the Quantity Surveying practice in Benin City, Edo State, amid global trends of digital transformation in construction. Through comprehensive data collection from local professionals, the research identifies a pronounced awareness of foundational digital tools like Microsoft Excel and AutoCAD alongside limited practical use of advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and specialized cost management software. The findings reveal significant barriers rooted in high costs, inadequate infrastructure, skill gaps, and resistance to change, which collectively hinder the full integration of digital solutions despite acknowledged operational benefits including increased speed, productivity, and accuracy. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovations theory, the study underscores the critical gap between awareness and usage, highlighting the need for targeted training, supportive policy frameworks, and infrastructural development to bridge this divide. The research contributes to a nuanced understanding of digital adoption challenges in developing contexts and proposes a strategic roadmap to enhance digital capacity, fostering modernization and competitiveness of the Quantity Surveying profession in Benin City

This study examines the use of visual communication tools for safe work practices in construction sites in Benin City. The research explored three objectives; Assessing the level of use of visual communication tools for safe work practices on construction sites, investigating the challenges affecting the use of visual communication tools for safe work practices and examining the effects of visual communication tools on safe work practices in Benin City, Edo State. All three objectives used the mean item score as the method of analysis. The target population for this research comprises stakeholders and participants directly involved in the construction industry within Benin City, Edo State. These include professionals such as architects, engineers, builders, health & safety officers and quantity surveyors. A total of 169 questionnaires were filled from an anticipated sample size of 300. The study revealed that the level of use of visual communication tools varies considerably across construction projects in Benin City. Among the tools assessed, Safety Signs and Symbols (MIS = 4.72) ranked the highest, followed by Colour-Coded Labels (MIS = 4.51) and Floor Markings (MIS = 4.40). The most significant challenge was Limited Budget (MIS = 4.52), followed by Management Indifference (MIS = 4.32) and Lack of Training (MIS = 4.20). The strongest effects of visual communication tools on safe work practices were, Improves Hazard Recognition (MIS = 4.67), Enhances Compliance with Safety Rules (MIS = 4.41), and Reduces Accident Frequency (MIS = 4.29). Generally, the study concludes that visual communication tools play a crucial role in promoting safety culture on construction sites, and their integration especially digital innovations should be strengthened through better funding, management commitment, and worker training.

The increasing digitalization of the construction industry has highlighted the growingrelevance of virtual platforms as alternatives to traditional face-to-face site meetings. Thisstudy examines the use, benefits, and challenges of virtual platforms for constructionsitemeetings in Benin City, Nigeria, where infrastructural limitations and cultural preferencesinfluence technology adoption. A quantitative research design was employed, withdatacollected from 140 construction professionals—including architects, engineers, quantitysurveyors, and contractors—selected from a target population of 842. Using MeanItemScores (MIS), the findings show that Google Meet, Zoom, and WhatsApp are themost commonly used virtual platforms due to their accessibility and low data requirements. Keybenefits identified include enhanced stakeholder participation regardless of location, reducedmeeting costs, time savings, and improved documentation. However, major barrierstoeffective adoption remain, such as poor internet connectivity, unstable power supply, limitedtechnical skills, and low acceptance among older professionals. The study concludes that
while virtual platforms significantly improve communication efficiency and stakeholder engagement, their full potential is hindered by infrastructural and cultural constraints. It recommends targeted digital training, improved technological infrastructure, and hybrid meeting models to support sustainable digital transformation in Benin City’s construction sector.

This study examines the influence of price instability on cost estimation practices in the construction industry in Edo State, Nigeria. The study aims to identify the key drivers of price fluctuations and evaluate their impact on the accuracy and reliability of construction cost estimates. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to construction professionals, including quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, and builders. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean item scores and standard deviation.
The findings reveal that inflation (mean = 4.42), material price fluctuations (mean = 4.34), and high interest rates (mean = 4.17) are the most significant factors contributing to price instability in the construction industry. Other notable factors include poor weather conditions, inadequate planning, and unstable government policies. The study further shows that key building elements such as reinforced concrete works, roofing materials, electrical systems, and finishing components are the most affected by these fluctuations. The results also indicate that price instability significantly reduces the accuracy of cost estimation, leading to frequent revisions of estimates, cost overruns, unreliable budgeting, and financial strain on both contractors and clients. In response to these challenges, the study identifies several effective mitigation strategies, including the use of price adjustment clauses, contingency allowances, early procurement, local sourcing of materials, and continuous market price monitoring. The study concludes that price instability remains a major threat to effective cost planning in the construction industry in Edo State. It recommends the adoption of proactive risk management strategies and improved forecasting techniques to enhance the reliability of cost estimation. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing localized empirical evidence and practical solutions for managing cost uncertainty in a volatile economic environment.

This study examines the impact of material wastage on construction project cost and delivery in Benin City, Edo State, with a view to identifying its causes and evaluating strategies for mitigating wastage during construction. The research was driven by the increasing cost overruns, reduced profit margins, and inefficiencies associated with waste generation on construction sites in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to construction professionals including quantity surveyors, architects, builders, site supervisors, and engineers operating within Benin City. A total of 200 valid responses were analyzed using Mean Item Score (MIS) for ranking the causes, cost implications, and mitigation strategies .Findings revealed that the major causes of material wastage include delay in the use of materials, ineffective communication, use of substandard materials, human negligence, improper mixing, and inadequate supervision. The results further indicate that material wastage significantly contributes to increased overhead costs, extended project duration, poor resource utilization, escalation of material prices, loss of productivity, and budget overruns. The study also identified Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery, improved material handling, proper material storage, reuse and recycling, and the adoption of digital planning tools as the most effective strategies for minimizing waste. The study concludes that material wastage poses a substantial challenge to cost efficiency and project performance in the construction industry and recommends enhanced supervision, accurate material estimation, improved site management practices, and policy enforcement to reduce wastage and improve overall project delivery. Suggestions for further research include comparative studies across cities, financial quantification of waste-related losses, and evaluation of prefabrication technologies in waste
reduction.

his study investigates the relationship between construction equipment maintenance and safety
risks on construction sites in Edo State. The purpose of the study is to determine how different
maintenance practices influence the likelihood of equipment-related accidents and identify the
key challenges affecting effective maintenance implementation. Using a quantitative research
design, data were collected from 102 construction professionals, including site engineers, equipment operators, and safety officers, through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were applied to identify commonly adopted maintenance strategies, while Spearman Rank Correlation was used to assess the strength of the relationship between equipment maintenance and safety risks. The findings reveal that preventive maintenance practices such as scheduled servicing, tire pressure checks, hydraulic inspections, and safety system testing are the most widely implemented and significantly reduce the occurrence of mechanical failures, hydraulic leaks, electrical faults, and unplanned equipment breakdowns. A strong positive correlation was established between poor maintenance and increased safety risks, indicating that inadequate servicing greatly heightens the likelihood of equipment-related accidents on construction sites. The study further identifies major challenges limiting effective maintenance, including insufficient budgets, shortage of skilled technicians, poor record-keeping systems, and pressure to meet project deadlines. The practical implications suggest that improving maintenance culture, providing adequate funding, enhancing technical capacity, and enforcing safety compliance are essential for reducing accidents and improving safety performance in the construction industry. The originality and value of this research lie in its provision of empirical evidence from Edo State, where equipment-related safety challenges are prevalent, thereby contributing to the limited body of local literature on maintenance-driven safety management and offering actionable insights for construction firms, safety regulators, and policymakers committed to enhancing workplace safety standards.

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of design changes on various elements of building on project cost in Benin City by identifying the common causes of such changes, analyzing how they influence specific building elements including substructure, superstructure, finishes and various services assessing their contribution to cost overruns. 714 target population were identified with 159 responses received. The study identifies client-driven revisions and inadequate project scoping as the chief catalysts for increased costs, necessitating expensive rework, demolition, and administrative overhead. The research specifically analyzes how these design changes impact elemental costs, particularly those affecting major structural components. Through factor analysis, the cost influences are grouped into three main clusters: primary structures framework, enclosed & internal partition, interior finishes & components, and services & Site-Related operations. To counter these issues, the study advocates for mitigation strategies focused on creating a clear and detailed scope of work early on, concluding that establishing a realistic contingency budget and ensuring strong leadership are vital for maintaining financial stability and minimizing the negative effects of design changes. Furthermore, the implementation of a rigorous Change Control Protocol is advised to clearly quantify both direct and indirect costs such as schedule penalties and administrative time associated with every deviation. Finally, the research advocates for strengthening project leadership by empowering Project Managers to exercise abstract reasoning and act as financial stewards. By conducting regular budget adherence meetings and utilizing cost-to-complete forecasts, leaders can better manage client expectations and act as a deterrent to non-essential scope creep, ultimately safeguarding the project's financial stability

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