Investigating Contractual Challenges of Performing Cost Control in Building Construction Projects

Abstract: Quantity Surveyors are considered as the most qualified cost specialists in the construction industry, with their experiences and skills in cost management and control as well as contract management. However, this role is not well recognized in Sweden compared to other countries such as the UK where it’s originated from. And so, the construction industry in Sweden uses other professions for the roles that were supposed to be done by quantity surveyors or cost managers. As a result, the quantity surveyors that have penetrated the Swedish construction industry, face challenges to perform their duties specifically in this case, cost control due to several circumstances. This study has looked into different contractual challenges that face quantity surveyors while performing cost control in building projects. Also, recommendations have been made to help mitigate these challenges and improve cost control in projects. In this master thesis, qualitative study has been performed where quantity surveyors were interviewed regarding cost control and the contractual challenges, they face in building construction projects. The findings were analysed with a theoretical framework and discussed together with previous research and knowledge and in this study principal – agent theory was used. The results of the study showed that poor planning, late involvement of the quantity surveyors in projects, lack of effective communication and poor contract management are the main challenges that face quantity surveyor in performing cost control in building projects. To overcome these challenges, the author suggests that there is a need of increasing awareness on the importance of having quantity surveyors and clearly establish their roles in projects, have proper communication plan, proper contract management and improve skills on quantity surveying software.