Analysis of Cost and Quality Relationship of Private Building Projects in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the analysis of cost and quality relationship of private building projects executed in Abuja. To achieve this aim the following objectives were examined: Data for the study were obtained from 30 completed private projects in Abuja and the consultant Quantity Surveyors who handled the projects. Data gathering method was achieved through administered questionnaire to owners of the selected private buildings under consideration and the consultants. 30 questionnaires were distributed, received and used for the analysis. The relationship between quality and cost was analyzed by finding the average percentage of quality obtained as provided by building owners in the questionnaire and comparing same with percentage quality expected (100%). The difference between these two defines the nature of cost-quality relationship in percentage. It was discovered that at a given cost, private building projects in Abuja are executed within duration that is 54% earlier than the required time but at a quality that is 10% lower than expected. In other words, the execution of private building projects in Abuja takes only 46% of the required time whereas only 90% of the expected quality is achieved. As a result of loss of quality observed by this research, it was also recommended that additional attention should be given to cost-quality relationship in executing private building projects in Abuja so as to eliminate the lapses. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by making the contractor/consultants know how to achieve maximum quality at an affordable cost, thereby ensuring high level of safety performance.