Assessing the causes of delay in building construction: in the case of Addis Ababa Grade one building Contractors (BC1)

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the significant contributors to the economic growth and development of Ethiopia. However problem of delays in the construction sector is a global phenomenon and the construction sector in Ethiopia is no exception. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the main causes of construction project delay in building construction of grade one building contractors in Addis Ababa. A questionnaire survey was used for data collection and fifty-six (56) questionnaires were completed and analyzed. Using a simple ordinal scale, based on a 5-point Likert Scale, professionals, contractors and consultants expressed their views on the relative importance of thirty-six (31) pre-selected factors on construction project delays. Feedback from a survey administered to, contractors were analyzed using Relative Importance Index (RII). According to the results, inadequate site management, contractor financial difficulties, inefficient scheduling, and construction errors. From the top 10 delaying factors, causes those are related to consultant and significantly affect the completion time of building construction project are mistake in design document and poor communication with the design engineer. Client related factors those are included in the most frequent factors are slow decision making, improper feasibility study and interference during actual construction work. In Addis Ababa, the primary cause of construction project delays for grade one building contractors is the scarcity of materials, which is the only external issue listed in the top ten delaying factors. Association result shows that Contractor related factors played the major role in delaying construction; the second one is client related factor. Then consultant related factor follows as third factor. The fourth and final factor is external factors. Construction frontline players are recommended to put their efforts on the identified key factors in relation to their magnitudes of influence. By doing so, the causes of project delays in Addis Ababa building construction could be significantly reduced or controlled, which will ultimately lead to the on time and within budget completion of projects.