WHOLE LIFE COSTING PRACTICES EMPLOYED BY DESIGN TEAMS OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Although the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), which oversees the procurement of public (WLC) in building projects is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate WLC practice by design team members of housing projects through determination of the extent to which WLC has been practiced, and the drivers and barriers of the use of WLC by design teams. The study adopted a quantitative research design that built up a purposive online sample of 63 professionals in construction firms through a snowballing approach. The data thus gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistical method (Mean Item Score and Standard Deviation). The study found that construction professionals tend to consider only construction cost as representative of overall project costs, often to the exclusion of other important types of costs. Availability of data and clients specifically requesting the use of WLC are two key factors that drive WLC use. Use of WLC is however hindered by absence of WLC standards, use of WLC is non-mandatory for public projects, and insufficient end-user training. This study has recommended urgent upskilling of construction professionals for WLC use through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars, redesign of tertiary education construction curricula, and amendment of existing laws that currently ignore WLC.