Factors Affecting the Accuracy of a Pre-Tender Cost Estimate in Nigeria

Pre-tender cost estimating of building projects requires extensive knowledge and expertise. Because of inadequate design information in the early design stages, it is extremely difficult for quantity surveyors to arrive at an accurate cost estimate. The main objective of this article is to evaluate the factors affecting accuracy of pre-tender cost estimate in Nigeria. Data was collected, through a questionnaire, from 50 randomly selected quantity surveyors in consulting firms. A 66 percent majority of the respondents are principal partners of their respective firms, eight percent are partners, 10 percent are associate partners, while 16 percent are quantity surveyors employed by consulting firms. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and an analysis of variance. The study revealed six important factors, based upon the construction industry experience of the quantity surveyors, which affect the accuracy of a pre-tender cost estimate. These six factors are: expertise of consultants, quality of information and flow requirements, the project team's experience of the construction type, the tender period and market condition, extent of completion of pre-contract design, and the complexity of design and construction. Taking these factors into consideration at the inception stage of the project could improve the accuracy of preliminary cost advice that the quantity surveyor consultant gives his or her client.