EFFECT OF EFFECTIVE PREPARATION OF COST ESTIMATE ON BUILDING PROJECT DLIVERY IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

This study focused on the effect of effective preparation of cost estimate on building project delivery in Enugu metropolis. The study is guided by the following objectives, to identify the causes of cost overruns in construction projects in Enugu State, to examine the effect of cost overruns in construction projects delivery in Enugu State. The study adopted survey research design. A sample size of 190 was gotten from the population of 363. The findings of the study reveals that the causes of cost overrun in construction projects in Enugu State are underestimation of quantities or cost in bill of quantities, Incomplete or sketchy design at the tender stage, Design changes/variation orders, Inflation and material price fluctuation, Poor project planning and organization, Contract management weakness, Poor oversight of contract implementation, Contractors cash flow problems, Lack of skilled labour/poor workmanship, External/macroeconomic factor, Regulatory, permitting and political issues, Delay in obtaining approvals. The study recommends that the Enugu State Ministry of Works and professional bodies such as NIQS should establish an updated cost database that provides current market rates for materials, labour, and equipment to support accurate estimating and budgeting