The Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), established under the Public Procurement Act of 2006 to oversee public project procurement, acknowledges that the lowest initial price might not align with the lowest cost over an item’s operational lifespan. Whole Life Costing (WLC) application in construction, particularly housing projects, remains limited, necessitating exploration of its integration within design teams. This study assesses WLC practices among housing project design team members to enhance cost-effectiveness. Objectives include gauging WLC implementation levels, and exploring drivers and barriers to its adoption. Employing a quantitative approach via questionnaires, a convenience sample comprising 63 construction professionals from electronically accessible construction firms was gathered through snowballing. Data was analyzed descriptively (Mean Item Score and Standard Deviation), with outcomes depicted via tables and charts. Findings reveal a tendency among construction professionals to primarily consider construction costs, often excluding other vital expenses. Data availability and client requests are prominent WLC adoption drivers. Nonetheless, lack of WLC standards, non-mandatory usage in public projects, and insufficient user training impede its application. The study recommends enhancing construction professionals’ WLC skills through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars, revising construction curricula, and amending existing legislation. Collaborative efforts involving the BPP, trade associations (e.g., NIQS), and statutory bodies (COREN, CORBON, QSRBN) are pivotal. Future research could explore how project type influences WLC practices in construction projects.
Application of Whole Life Costing Methods by Building Design Teams in Abuja, Nigeria’s Construction Projects, GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
