AN EVALUATION OF COST CONTROL PRACTICES IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Purpose: Cost control in building construction entails the systematic management of expenditures to ensure projects are delivered within budget, without compromising quality or objectives. Effective cost control enables construction firms to maximize profits, mitigate financial risks, and enhance client satisfaction. Quantity Surveyors employ a range of conventional and contemporary methods to achieve these outcomes. this research evaluates the specific determinants influencing their selection of cost control methods for building projects in Abuja, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach: This study utilized a survey-based approach, administering questionnaires to Quantity Surveyors in Abuja. A sample of 38 professionals was selected via snowball sampling. Data were analysed using mean score ranking and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients.

Findings: The primary construction estimates used by QS in Abuja were ranked as: detailed estimates (1st), substantive estimates (2nd), and preliminary estimates (3rd). The key cost estimation methods employed were ranked as: analogous (1st), parametric (2nd), bottom-up (3rd), three-point (4th), and expert judgment (5th). The principal determinant of method selection was the specific purpose of the cost estimate. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis revealed a strong correlation between the awareness of cost estimation methods and the determinants of method choice, aligning with the benchmarks established by Burris (2005).

Research limitations/implications: This study utilised a relatively small sample of 38 Quantity Surveyors in Abuja, recruited via snowball sampling; this approach limits the generalisability of the findings across Nigeria. Consequently, future research should extend evaluations to other geographic regions and investigate why awareness exerts a more significant influence on method choice in Abuja compared to other contexts. These limitations present opportunities to refine theoretical models regarding professional decision-making within construction cost management.

The Practical implications: Professional bodies and training providers should systematically strengthen cost estimation education at both pre-service and post-qualification levels. Specifically, Higher National Diploma and degree programmes should be enhanced to address the curricular and practical gaps that currently restrict exposure to contemporary methods. Such improvements are essential for elevating project delivery standards within Abuja's construction sector.

Originality/value: This research provides a targeted empirical evaluation of Quantity Surveyors' cost control practices in Abuja, quantifying method preferences and drivers through statistical ranking and correlation analysis. It uniquely identifies awareness as a dominant influencer within a Nigerian urban context, furnishing novel evidence to inform both educational reforms and professional practice enhancements.