Effects of material-waste causes on project-cost overrun in Abuja, Nigeria A site management perspective

Abstract

Purpose of this paper: To examine the effects of material-waste and their control measures on project-cost overruns at the site-management stage of a project Design/methodology/approach: The study covers building-construction professionals in Abuja, Nigeria, from which a purposive sample of 30 professionals was drawn. Interviews were conducted with the sampled professionals; and in the process, quantitative data were generated by using a tick-box questionnaire. The tick-box questionnaire contained literature- based information, which was personally perused by the researcher – when the respondents mentioned any of the issues contained in the tick-box. The results from the tick-box were the only data utilised in this research. The data were analysed by using the descriptive and inferential methods. Findings: The research analysis indicated that material waste and its control measures have significant effects (very high, high, medium, low, and very low) in causing, or minimising, cost overruns on construction projects at the site-management stage of a project. There were no significant differences in the views of the professionals on these issues. Research limitations/implications: The research was limited too private and public-building projects in Abuja, Nigeria. Practical implications: The management of material waste on construction sites, most importantly, those with “very high and high effects on cost overruns” should translate into a reduction in the amount of cost overruns for various projects. Value of the paper: The recommendations forthcoming from this research, if properly implemented, should achieve the best value for money to the client; a reduction in the amount of waste that would be sent to landfills; and a reduction in the number of cost overruns on projects.