The Perception of Engineers on the Use of Offsite Construction Methods in Ghana

Abstract

Off-site construction methods have played an important role in the construction sector the world over in the past few decades, having been touted as offering a more sustainable solution to the building industry especially in areas of cost, safety, meeting time lines, and waste reduction. But developing countries still rely on vernacular practices for design and construction. In the Ghanaian construction industry, most contractors are still used to the traditional system of building construction. This attempt is to find out the perception of engineers on the use of offsite construction methods in Ghana. To achieve this, the objectives were to find out engineers knowledge on offsite construction methods, the readiness to use offsite construction methods and the associated cost benefits in using offsite construction method. Survey research design was used for this study. In determining the sample size, purposive sampling technique was used to select 12 engineers of registered construction firms undertaking active projects in the Kumasi Metropolis. Data was collected through interview and the themes analyzed. The study showed that the engineers know that reduction of overall construction costs, shortened construction time, increased efficiency and improved health and safety of workers are benefits of applying off-site construction methods. The dominant challenges were capital-related issues, low level of expertise and negative perception. It was recommended that professional bodies such as Ghana Institute of Architecture and Ghana Institute of Engineers should expose members to the innovation and other new technological advancements. Government on its part must also play a leading role in the training of artisans and the promotion of off-site construction as that is the way forward for any construction industry that aspires to meet the housing challenge of its populace.