MANAGING DESIGN MODIFICATIONS IN NIGERIAN BUILDING PROJECTS: VOICES FROM THE FIELD

Design change is the common factor inhibiting professionals to effectively control projects cost and duration in construction which need to found a lasting solution. The study objective were to assess the effectiveness of mitigating measures agai nst design change as inhibiting factor of cost and time control. Study uses descriptive and explorative des ign through survey method. Judgmental sampling used to administer 127 questionnaires to professionals in Bauchi and Gombe States, Nigeria. Data analyses using mean, frequency and spearman correlation. The hypothesis formulated revealed no significant differences among the respondents’ perceptions. The major findings shows the top effective mitigating measures against design change as; Ensuring the time and cost implication of a design change is always determined and agreed before going ahead with the change whenever possible (MS=3.8451). Moreover, Study conclude that, professionals agreed and acknowledge that the developed mitigating measures against design change are all-effective and can be used in Nigerian practice. Therefore, study recommends the adaptation and implementations of the mitigating measures in practice to curtail the issues of design change in building projects.