Contributory Factors to Emerging Contractor’s Non-compliance with Project Quality Requirements

Purpose: Customer dissatisfaction due to poor quality of workmanship or non-desired specifications can cost the construction company thousands of rand in reworks. It could further potentially cost the business a client and future profits. The study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to emerging contractors’ non-compliance with project quality requirements in South Africa and the associated consequences on their businesses. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative research approach was used to gather information from the respondents. Structured questionnaires were sent to 70 emerging contractors and construction professionals randomly selected in South Africa, of which 32 responded. Data received were analysed using Excel statistical tool to calculate the frequencies and mean values. Findings: The results have shown that It was found that lack of quality management system implementation, cash flow problems, lack of adequate plant equipment, poor site coordination, substandard material, inexperience supervisors, lack of drawing specifications, the inexperience of artisans, poor work scheduling, lack of communication with consultants and poor contracts managements are significant contributory factors to non-compliance to quality standard among emerging contractors. These quality non-compliance issues have brought repercussions such as reduced profits, loss of clients, reduced firm reputation, bankruptcy, court action, reduced team morale on sites, lack of company expansion, increased insurance premiums to emerging contractors. Research Limitations/Implications: There is an urgent need to educate the emerging contractors on the need to focus on project quality management systems and practices in managing their projects to reduce the effects thereof. This will help them avoid unnecessary expenditures, make projects profitable and sustain their businesses. Practical Implication: Emerging contractors must have a quality management system that all personnel understand to eliminate quality deficiencies and reworks. This should be implemented from the design stages to the procurement and execution stage of the project. Construction contracts should make QMS mandatory, and contractors who do not comply to set qualities standards to be penalised or blacklisted. Originality/Value: This research outcome assists the South African construction industry, particularly emerging contractors, in understanding the benefits of implementing a Quality Management System to grow and strengthen their companies and guarantee the success of their projects.