ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF MODULAR CONSTRUCTION ON BUILDING PROJECT COST IN ABUJA.

Abstract

Modular construction is one form of prefabrication that exploits the advantages of factory assembly to a great extent, the idea being that the greater the degree of prefabrication, the greater the resultant benefit to the project. Various scholars have shown that modular construction is strongly linked to energy and cost effectiveness. In view of this, the study assessed the effect of modular construction on building project cost in Abuja. Data was collected from 50 construction sites in Abuja using a structured questionnaire with a response rate of 98.03. A purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. The analysis of the data was carried out with the use of percentage, mean item score, and factor analysis. The study identified nine (9) drivers for the use of modular construction, of which the availability and accessibility of a skilled and experienced factory labour force (MIS = 4.38) is the most important. The study identified eight (8) barriers to the use of modular construction, of which two are financial barriers. (MIS = 4.54) is very important. The most important critical success factors for implementing modular integrated construction as a building construction method are an experienced workforce and technical capability (MIS = 4.52). The most significant effect of modular integrated construction practises on cost effectiveness is that they reduce the costs of design and development and/or maintenance of the project (MIS = 4.70). Factor analysis for critical success factors for implementing modular integrated construction as a building construction method revealed the KMO value is 0.594 and the Bartlett’s test of sphericity is significant (p > 0.05). It can therefore be concluded that by knowing the current opportunities and challenges involved in the implementation of modular methods in the urban environment, practitioners would promote, plan, and implement modular methods better in the urban environment and achieve higher levels of modularization, which will then contribute to the productivity growth in the construction industry. Hence, appropriate measures such as wide adoption of prefab system considering their prospect of ensuring quality as a result of better supervision, professional bodies should hold seminars at intervals to educate and enlighten professionals on the requirements and advantages, the technique should be emphasised in continuous professional development (CPD) programmes were recommended to enhance the adoption of the modular construction method by professionals to ensure cost effectiveness in building construction projects