Criteria Used by consultants in Prequalification and selection of Mechanical & Electrical subcontractors in building projects in Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

 

This research was carried out to assess and establish the criteria used by consultants in prequalifying and selecting Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects in Nigeria. Field survey involving construction consultants and staff in the client organizations in Lagos was conducted. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaires. 60 well-structured questionnaires were administered on the professional survey, 53 responses were gotten back which gave a response rate of 88% and 50 were used for analysis. Information gathered include the major prequalification and selection criteria used by consultants to assess Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects. The data collected was analyzed with basic descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and relative importance index (RII). The core findings from the results obtained revealed that Experience on similar projects, financial stability, quality of staff / key personnel, financial statements, past management performance, past project failure and Plant / Equipment Resources were considered as the main criteria used by consultants in prequalifying Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects. Subjective judgement was identified as the most prevalent model used by consultants in prequalifying Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects. Single stage selective tendering, Negotiated tendering, and Serial tendering were identified as the most frequent methods adopted by consultants in selecting Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects and Estimated cost of project / Tender price, Access to credit, Technical competence, Organization and Management capabilities, Experience of the team, Capacity of company, Litigation history of company, Available plant/equipment for project, Experience of company with similar project and Number of staff were identified the as key criteria considered by consultants in selecting Mechanical and Electrical subcontractors in building projects. The study recommends that, the actors in building construction projects should aspire to understand, adopt and implement the requirements of subcontractors prequalification and selection criteria of building works and also ensure to Procure subcontractors that have adequate experience on similar project, technical capacity, plant/equipment resources and the financial capacity to execute work effectively at an agreed cost, time and quality.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                     Page

 

Title Page                                                                                           i

Certification                                                                                                ii

Dedication                                                                                         iii

Acknowledgements                                                                            iv

Abstract                                                                                             v

Table of Contents                                                                             vi

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION                                                                     1

1.1     Background to the Study                                                        1

1.2     Statement of the Research Problems                                        7

1.3     Research Questions                                                                 8

1.4     Aim and Objectives of the Study                                              8

1.5     Significance of the Study                                                         9

1.6     Scope and Delimitation of the Study                                       9

1.7     Definition of Key Terms                                                           10

 

CHAPTER TWO

2.0    LITERATURE REVIEW                                                           12

2.1     Introduction                                                                             12

2.2     Concept of Prequalification and subcontracting                      12

2.3     Factors Influencing Consultants Choice in Projects                 19

2.3.1  The cost consideration framework                                          19

2.3.2  The TOPSIS and SAW-G Grey Techniques                               19

2.3.3  The Prequalification Method                                                    20

2.3.4 The Construction Management at Risk Method                       23

2.3.5 The Multi Criteria Evaluation Models                                       24

 

2.4.   Methods of Prequalification Selection of Subcontractors                         25

 

2.5.    Subcontractors and suppliers selection criteria in projects       42

 

2.5.1. Tendering Methods                                                                      44

2.5.2. Criteria for the award of contract                                            45

2.6.    Areas of Subcontracting in Building Construction Projects     48

 

2.7.    Summary                                                                                51

 

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHOD                                                                53

3.1     Introduction                                                                            53

3.2     Research Design                                                                      53

3.3    Study Population                                                                      53

3.4    Sampling Techniques                                                              54

3.5    Sample Size                                                                              54

3.6    Method of Data Collection                                                        54

3.7    Method of Data Analysis                                                          56

 

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0    DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS              57

4.1        Introduction                                                                            57

4.2        Data Presentation                                                                    57

4.3        Presentation & Analysis of Research Questions                       64

4.4        Discussion of Findings                                                            71

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS         74

5.1     Summary of Findings                                                              74

5.2     Conclusions                                                                             75

5.3        Recommendations                                                                   76

5.4        Area of Further Research                                                         77

References                                                                               78

Appendix                                                                                 83