The causes and costs of defects in construction. A study of seven building projects

Abstract To perform rational defect prevention, it is necessary to have knowledge about defects, their causes and associated costs. The purpose of the study presented here is to stimulate improvements by indicating where preventive measures are most effective as well as how to perform them. A study of defects in construction was performed during the period 1986–1990. A new and deeper study has been performed by the same research group during 1994–1996. Seven building projects have each been monitored during a 6 month-period. Observers spent 8 h a day at the site analysing and describing defects occurring. A total of 2879 defects have been collected and fully described, including their root causes. Formal interviews with 92 key persons have been made.