ABSTRACT

This study determined the influence of estimating practice on cost performance of building projects. The objectives were to identify the estimating practices used by cost consultants, appraise the critical factors influencing estimating practice used, and to determine the influence of estimating practice on cost performance. The study involved survey design administered to engineers, builders and quantity surveyors in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Spearman Ranked correlation test. The findings of the study revealed the critical factors influencing estimating practice as complexity of design and construction, scale and scope of construction, method of construction and construction technique, tender period and market condition, and site constraints (access and storage limitation. The test of hypothesis indicated non-relatedness of estimating practice with cost deviation. There is therefore no significant correlation between estimating practices and the performance building works estimate for all category of buildings studied. The implication is that, estimating practice (method) adopted in budget estimation cannot influence the cost performance of building projects.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Index              Title                                                                                                                Page

            Title page        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

            Cover page      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

            Declaration      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iii

            Certification    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

            Dedication      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

            Acknowledgement                  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vi

            List of tables   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           viii

            Table of content          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ix

            Abstract          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           xii

            CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1              Background to the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.2              Statement of Research Problem          -           -           -           -           -           -           3

1.3              Aim and Objectives of the study        -           -           -           -           -           -           3

1.4              Research Questions     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           4

1.5              Research Hypothesis   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           4

1.6              Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           4

1.7              Scope of the Study     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           5

1.8              Organization of the Work       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           5

CHAPTER TWO     LITERATURE REVIEW

Review of Related Literature -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6-38

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0       Introduction                -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           39

3.1       Research Design         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           39

3.2       Area of study  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           39

3.3       Population of the study          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           40

3.4       Sample and sample techniques           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

3.5       Research Instrument   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

3.6       Validity of the instrument      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           41

3.7       Data collection            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           42

3.8       Method of data collection      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           42

            CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSES

4.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           44

4.1       Respondent Characteristics    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           44

4.2       Project Characteristics            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           46

4.3       Estimating Practices (methods/techniques) that are frequently 

used by consultants     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           48

4.4       Factors influencing estimating practice in building projects   -           -           -           50

4.5       Hypothesis testing (the influence of estimating practices on the

Cost performance of building projects)                      -           -           -           -           51

4.6       Discussion and Interpretation of findings      -           -           -           -           -           52

            CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           55

5.1       Summary of finding    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           55

5.2       Conclusions     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           56

5.3       Recommendations      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           57

References      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           58

Appendix       

Questionnaire 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1.1      Types of Organization            -           -           -           -           -           -           -           44

Table 4.1.2      Profession of Respondent                   -           -           -           -           -           44

Table 4.1.3      Working Experience (years)    -           -           -           -           -           -           45

Table 4.1.4      Type of Employment  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           45

Table 4.1.5      Sex      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           45

Table 4.2.1      Type of Project           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           46

Table 4.2.2      Type of Contract         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           46

Table 4.2.3      Project Location          -           -           -           -           -           -      &nbsp