Cost control measures used by building contractors in the Greater Accra region

Abstract

The issues of cost control in the building and construction industry pioneered by contractors and their allied players and professionals in the industry is a concern to ensuring due diligence in the building and construction sector. This research assessed contractors’ commitment to cost control, the challenges that confront contractors and the proposed remedies to ensuring effective cost control measures. The case study research design was adopted for this study. Questionnaires were used for the study. A sample size of 63 respondents was used. Purposive sampling technique was employed for the surveyors, architects and storekeepers. Random cluster sampling technique was also used for the contractors and Foremen. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. For quality, the data was test-run and later generated simple frequencies. The information generated was then linked to contractors’ efforts to control the cost of construction projects. The tone of the respondents were examined and reported as such. The qualitative information was linked to the figures generated through the simple frequency thus making confirmation of what the figures indicated. The findings of the study demonstrated that, contractors’ experience, educational level, understanding of cost control, patience of some surveyors and architects to observe the necessary laws, rules and regulations concerning contracts are vital to the success of construction projects. Based on the study, it is recommended that contractors, surveyors, foremen, and storekeepers all pay attention to issues connected to cost control and also invite the inputs of each other when embarking on construction projects.