Effects of Construction Projects Schedule Overruns: A Case of the Gauteng Province, South Africa

Abstract

Construction schedule overruns are not uncommon on construction projects world over and the South African construction industry has not escaped the challenges of failing to deliver projects on time. In order to find mitigation measures of schedule overruns, the first step is to identify the causes of these overruns. This paper assesses the effects of construction projects schedule overruns in the Gauteng – South African construction industry. The data used in this paper were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data was collected via a detailed review of related literature. The primary data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire which was distributed to construction professionals, who include: Architects, quantity surveyors, civil engineers, construction mangers and project managers. Out of the 200 questionnaires sent out, 146 were received back representing a 73% response rate. Data received from the questionnaires was analysed using descriptive statistics procedures. Findings from the study revealed that extension of time, cost overruns, loss of profit, disputes, poor quality of work due to hurrying the project, creates stress to the client, acceleration losses, bad reputation with contraction team, claims and delay in getting profit by the client were the major effects of construction projects schedule overruns in Gauteng, South Africa. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject of the effects of construction project schedule overruns in Gauteng, South Africa.