FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR VARIATION IN COST OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SERVICES IN BUILDING PROJECTS IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

Cost is the primary factor that determines the success and failure of a construction project and must be considered as the paramount and driving tool in order to have a successful project. Cost variation is a very frequent term associated with Mechanical and Electrical (M & E) service in construction projects. Maintenance cost projection for M & E services had been an issue of serious concern to both Client and Project contractors. In view of this, The aim of the research is to determine factors responsible for variation in cost of M & E services in building project in Nigeria with the following objectives: to identify the factors responsible for variation in cost of M & E services and to proffers possible recommendation. To achieve these objectives, the study designed a structured questionnaire containing 52 cost variation factors which were distributed among the construction firms registered with Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI). Data were analyzed using mean item score (MIS) and simple percentages. It was analytically discovered that factors such as inadequate planning: fraudulent practices, kick back and corruption; incessant variation order; change in Project design are the most important (Critical) factors responsible for variation in cost of M & E services. It was recommended that adequate planning should be made at both design and construction stage; variation must be reduced to barest minimal; design should be finalized before construction can commence and ensuring that proper methods of cost estimations were used.