ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES MATERIALS WASTAGE ON BUILDING SITE

TOPIC IS SUITABLE FOR:
1-Department of Building
2-Department of Quantity Surveying
3-Department of Civil Engineering
4-Department of Construction Management

TOPIC: ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCES MATERIALS WASTAGE ON BUILDING SITE

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background To The Study                
1.2 Statement Of Problem                        
1.3 Aim And Objectives                    
1.4 Research Questions And Hypothesis            
1.5 Scope Of The Study                        
1.6 Significance Of The Study                
1.7 Definition Of Key Terms                
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                
2.1 Concept Literature                                
2.2 Theories Of The Study    
2.3 Empirical Studies
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY                    
3.1 Research Design                    
3.2 Type And Sources Of Data        
3.3 Population Of The Study            
3.4 Sample Size And Sampling Procedure        
3.5 Instrument Of Data Collection                    
3.6. Method Of Data Presentation                    
3.7 Method Of Data Analysis                
3.8.1 Data Analysis Technique                        
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction                                    
4.2 Data Presentation                                
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDING, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary Of Major Findings                        
5.2 Conclusion                                    
5.3 Recommendations
References
Appendix

ABSTRACT
This study was on the Analysis of the Factors That Affect Materials Wastage on Building Sites in Guzape, Abuja, with the aim of identifying causes of construction materials wastage at the preconstruction and construction stage, examined its impact on cost overrun, analysed impact on project site efficiency, and proffering solutions to control wastage. The study employed a quantitative survey design in order to acquire empirical evidence from the stakeholders who directly participate in construction activities. Study population consisted of 5,000 workers, contractors, project managers and site workers in Guzape. Applying Taro Yamane's formula with a 5% margin of error a sample size of 370 was computed, from which 352 valid responses were obtained and analysed. The instrument for the collection of data was designed in the form of a structured four-point Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation was presented in tabular forms while Pearson correlation was used in the analysis of data and testing their hypothesis. The findings showed that lack of forward planning, design fault, underestimated quantity take-off, and material procurement issue are the biggest factors contributing to the occurrence of waste of materials with mean scores for all items beyond the cut-off mark of 2.50. Also, the correlation analysis confirmed there is a significant positive relationship between material wastage and cost overruns (r = 0.52, p = 0.000, t = 11.05, df = 350), and a significant negative relationship between wastage and site efficiency (r = -.49, p = 0.000, t = -10.68, df = 350). From this set of findings emerged the notion that not only did wastage increase the cost of whatever project was undertaken, it was inefficient in terms of efficiency and productivity. The paper concludes that wastage of materials is a vital determining factor of project performance in Guzape. To improve preconstruction planning and design inspection by contractors and project managers, introducing modern digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), intensifying site oversight and training of workers and having an enabling policy framework by the authorities to support green construction practices..

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background of the Study
Throughout history, the construction industry has been considered one of the biggest contributors to the economy, responsible for national productivity, infrastructure development, and workplace generation. As an intervention sector, it is far from being a managerially straightforward process, combining, as it does, technical writing, organisational process-directing and resource mobilisation, operating within complex social and ecological resource and economic environments. Osuizugbo and Ojelabi (2020) avers that the sector is very important for promoting urbanisation and modernization in the world at large while Fayisa and Wayessa (2021) stated that construction is important in the maintenance of the built environment in both developed and developing economies. In the global construction industry, although different engineering techniques and different scales prevail in different regions, the essence of the extraordinary value of the construction industry is basically the same: it is the foundation of socio-economic development.
Within this dynamic industry, material utilisation is one of the most critical project delivery components, and material wastage often appears on construction sites as one of the primary areas of ineffectiveness. Material waste can be defined as loss of construction input resulting from breakage, spillage, theft, improper handling, and/or nonconformance with the design specification. According to Edike (2021), wastage leads to poor construction project delivery productivity and impacts overall efficiency of project delivery. Also, Bavuno et al, 2020 remark that the perception and practises of tradesmen indicate that there are widespread apprehensions about poor conditions of conservation of materials during active construction stages. As construction projects grow in scale and complexity, the control of resources during construction becomes critical to delivering value for money and maximising resource efficiency on the construction site.
Closely related to the concept of wastage are the latent causes which impact material losses on construction jobs. Most of these issues are multi-dimensional, including inefficient management, overly complex design-management processes, labour practices, and purchasing irregularities. Oseghale et al. (2021) have also noted that poor material management practises are responsible for heavy wastes generation on Lagos and Abuja project sites. Likewise, Ogundipe et al (2020) argues that planning and effective building material management practises (EBMM) inadequacies are systemic vulnerabilities that increase the level of wastage. Limited supervision and ineffective monitoring system also have a deeper effect on posting the waste problem as highlighted in Ibrahim (2021), it builds the case for a need to identify vital waste producing factors in building site.
From a project management perspective, material loss has direct construction cost and delivery timing implications. Since materials make up a large percentage of total construction costs, even a slight inefficiency can lead to huge cost overruns. Interestingly, Ejiofor and Chiedozie (2023) acknowledge that locally available resources in housing development reduces cost of housing development when properly utilised, while on the other hand, accumulation and poor management of waste causes increased costs as well as depleting resources. On the other hand, according to Okeke and Obiora (2024), increasing material cost in Nigeria has increased the monetary burden on developers; hence the need to minimise waste for cost management. In this sense, the following conjunctions between lack of material and project cost efficiency appear to highlight one of the most important aspects of the debate on construction economics.
Aside from the cost element, material wastage also merges with the wider sustainability or environmental stewardship conversation in construction. Similar classification, according to Tongo et al. (2021), the results of the life cycle assessment show the overdamping landfill and the consumption of other natural resources are major sources of environmental pollution by material waste. In this regard, Ogunjobi and Akinola (2024) emphasize how circular economy practices can work together to reduce all such wastes, in the sense of how targeted use and reuse in construction and conversion of waste into useful products. This storey narrations directly bind with Tunji-Olayeni and David (2024), who posited the adoption of green building materials and sustainable practises in Nigeria is still faced with impediments that range from awareness to cost perceptions which further supports the need for waste reduction strategies in the construction arena in Nigeria.
It appears, therefore, that the quality and safety aspects of construction have implications for the efficiency of materials management and the management of waste. Abdulraheem et al. (2025) impressively note that low-quality delivery is often linked with poor control of available resources, while Ichendu et al. (2024) note that, though negligible, there could be design and material factors that could inadvertently lead to building failures. On a similar note, Abidemi (2022) focuses on the indiscriminate use of construction resources in different Nigerian cities, which has proven time and again to correlate with structural disasters. Such findings mean that material wastage isn't solely illuminated as a commercial imperative but additionally is a truth of structural capability and project existence.
The argument even now permeates the realm of technology adoption/innovation and innovative construction methods. A similar conclusion about the use of machine learning to predict key performance indicators driving the adoption of offsite construction is made by Wusu et al. (2022), where the results can indirectly contribute to waste reduction via improved efficiency. Also, Osuizugbo et al (2024) show that technological factors significantly influence the development of zero-carbon buildings in Lagos, further enforcing the potential for using technological innovation to solve waste-related issues. In this regard, Sharma and Ghibi (2024) purport that combining construction with AI and IoT would guarantee optimised energy and resource utilisation, with smart frameworks for curbing project-based losses throughout the lifecycle of projects.
Finally, in narrowing this discourse to the case study area of Guazape in Abuja, there is an opportunity to contextualise these general discussions in a spatial unit. With the various forms of construction ranging from residential to infrastructural to mention a few within the city of Guazape that is fast becoming a sprawling metropolis, which is located in Abuja's Nasarawa State, construction activities have tremendously spread. Scholars, like Leje and Sadis (2025) opine that site-related factors have significant impact over construction costs in Abuja, while Micheal et al. (2023) and Ibe (2023) attest to poor management of construction materials as one of the key factors hindering efficiency in projects within the Federal Capital Territory. As an oscillating urban node, Guazape illustrates the interface among material wastage under construction, cost implication, sustainability, and manager practises thus making it an appropriate arena to study the determinants of material wastage on building sites in Nigeria's federal capital city.

1.2 Statement of the Problem
The construction industry is resources intensive in Nigeria as over 60% of project cost is through building materials; however, wastage of materials on sites remains a menace to project delivery efficiency (Ibrahim, 2021; Ejiofor and Chiedozie, 2023). Micheal et al., (2023); Ibe, (2023) from Guzape, Abuja (property that experiences rapid development with high levels of residential and infrastructural projects) over costs, excess expenditures, and project execution blemishes were due to mismanagement, lack of qualification, variation in designs, and procuring irregularities with mismanagement of sites. The ideally constituted concept for utilization is aimed at circular economy practice which tends towards the minimization of waste generation and primacy of maximum utilization from available resources, (Ogunjobi & Akinola, 2024), and should be disciplined with the philosophy of alternative conservation. However, at this point in time, there is evidence of inefficient usage of materials in the sector due to poor conservation practises and material management which limit its ability to achieve both cost-effectiveness and sustainability (Oseghale et al., 2021; Edike, 2021).
While there have been studies on the causes of construction material wastage and implication in cities like Lagos and Enugu, Ejiofor and Chiedozie (2023); Okeke and Obiora (2024), there has been little attention to the peculiarities of construction sub-markets of Abuja, Guzape in particular where rapid urbanisation is redefining material use patterns. The lack of an empirical evidence base on how material wastage affects both cost and site efficiency underpins the knowledge gap on the geographical scale described. Second, the literature on post-urbanisation strategies used to reduce wastage in emerging districts of cities in the south needs to be expanded upon. This research therefore aims to bridge this gap not only by studying the individual factors contributing to construction material wastage in Guzape, Abuja, its impact on the cost of the project and efficiency of the project sites, but also by making recommendations for its reduction that relate to sustainable construction management.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.3.1 Aim of the Study
The aim of this study is to analyze the factors that influence material wastage on building sites in Guzape, Abuja
1.3.2 Objectives of the Study
The specific objectives of the study are:
i.To identify the causes of construction material waste at the preconstruction and construction phases of projects in Guzape, Abuja.
ii.To examine the effects of material waste on cost overrun in construction projects in Guzape, Abuja.
iii.To analyze the implications of material waste on the efficiency of construction project sites in Guzape, Abuja.
iv.To recommend strategies that can be adopted to reduce material wastage in construction projects in Guzape, Abuja.
OTHER PARTS OF CHAPTER ONE INCLUDE:
1.4 Research Questions and Hypothesis
1.4.1 Research Questions
1.4.2 Research Hypotheses
1.5 Scope of the Study
1.5.1.1 Delimitation of the Study
1.5.1.2 Area of the Study
1.5.2 Limitations of the Study
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Definition of Key Terms

CHAPTER TWO
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY(Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of building materials wastage, types of materials wastage on building sites, factors influencing materials wastage, effects of materials wastage on construction cost and project delivery, and strategies for minimizing materials wastage. The chapter covers the following subheadings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises approximately  individuals directly involved in construction operations in Guzape, Abuja, including contractors, project managers, and site workers.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula (1967) to determine a sample size of 370 respondents.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a stratified random sampling technique to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire based on a four-point Likert scale as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) to test the relationships between material wastage and cost overrun, as well as between material wastage and site efficiency, at the 0.05 level of significance.

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following findings are made:

i. The study found that inadequate planning, frequent design changes, poor handling and storage of materials, lack of proper supervision, and inaccurate material estimation were major causes of construction material wastage in Guzape, Abuja, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.18 to 3.30, all of which were above the cutoff mean of 2.50. This indicates that both preconstruction planning deficiencies and construction site management practices contribute significantly to material wastage.

ii. The study found that construction material wastage significantly contributes to cost overruns in building projects in Guzape, Abuja, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.18 to 3.28, all above the cutoff mean of 2.50. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.52, t-value of 11.53, and p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This indicates a significant positive relationship between construction material wastage and cost overruns.

iii. The study found that construction material wastage negatively affects project site efficiency in Guzape, Abuja, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.20 to 3.25, all above the cutoff mean of 2.50. The corresponding hypothesis test further showed a correlation coefficient (r) of -0.49, t-value of -10.68, and p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This indicates a significant negative relationship between construction material wastage and project site efficiency, as wastage disrupts workflow, reduces resource utilization, causes delays, and lowers worker productivity.

iv. The study found that effective site supervision, worker training, adoption of modern construction technologies, recycling and reuse of materials, and strict procurement and inventory control were important strategies for reducing construction material wastage in Guzape, Abuja, as evidenced by mean scores ranging from 3.23 to 3.28, all above the cutoff mean of 2.50. This indicates that implementing these strategies can help minimize material wastage, improve cost management, and enhance efficiency in building project execution.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Summary of the Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations

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