The major problems between main contractors and subcontractors in construction projects in Egypt

Abstract

Projects usually need continuous coordination among the participants in terms of scope of work, quickness, and timing during the execution phase to be completed without delay. Sub-contracting is a common practice in civil engineering projects. Subcontractors carry out a large part of the work done in construction projects. Thus, selecting the right subcontractor basically contributes to the project’s success. In this study, it was targeted to explore the causes of the mainconflicts between the contractor and subcontractors and the responsibility distribution of these causes. The basic columns of any project are main contractor and subcontractor, so the relationship between them must be good and effective in achieving the project's goals on time. A questionnaire was surveyed among the projects' parties (including the owner, the main contractor, the sub-contractor, and the consultant). The survey covered how to determine the party responsible for factors leading to dispute, and factors contributing to effective interface between main contractors and sub-contractors. Statistical analysis was carried out on the observations of the respondents of the survey using SPSS software. The mean score of each factor, degree of importance, and ranking was determined and the p-value was deduced using the Kruskal-wallis test to compare between the projects' parties. Also, the significance of each factor used in the questionnaire was determined. The conclusions of the study revealed factors that enhance the relationships, such as contract progress payment done on time, the problems related to the main contractor such as delay in contract progress payment, the problems related to subcontractor such as work delay and the problems related to other sources such as price escalation of material and labor. The results showed good acceptable limits of homogeneity and reliability including communications, financial, workper formance, contract, and other sources. The study recommended a framework that can be implemented to improve such relationships such as compliance with the terms of the contract and choosing contractors specialized in the required works. The main contribution of the study is improving the relationship between main contractor and sub contractor, state the problems facing the relationship to set the methods that can be used to processed with and that helps to success in the projects and development the construction sector in Egypt. This study opens the way for continued development of model parameters that will aid in effectively treating this subject area.