on Building Project Cost
in Edo State, Nigeria
FEATURED PAPER
By Edosa Mark Osazuwa and Thomas Azuka Ikukaiwe
Department of Quantity Surveying
University of Benin, Nigeria
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine strategies to mitigate design changes on building project cost in Edo State, Nigeria by identifying the common causes of such changes, analyzing how they influence specific building elements including substructure, superstructure, finishes and various services assessing their contribution to cost overruns. 714 target population were identified with 159 responses received. To counter these issues, the study advocates for mitigation strategies focused on creating a clear and detailed scope of work early on, concluding that establishing a realistic contingency budget and ensuring strong leadership are vital for maintaining financial stability and minimizing the negative effects of design changes.
Keywords: Design Changes, Building Project, Project Cost, Strategies, Cost Estimation
- Introduction
The Initiation of changes in construction projects often lead to deviation from the client’s original objectives, including the cost of the project, the date of completion and failure to meet the specified performance requirements (Isaac and Nevon, 2012). It is said when tackling a problem, the initial step typically involves identifying its root cause, which then informs the appropriate corrective action to be considered for resolution. As such, the construction industry is on the upswing, and projects are becoming increasingly complicated. Besides, designs are larger and more complex, leaving construction companies with very narrow margin for error. (Nurul and Mohammad, 2018).
Ahmed and Lamiaa (2021) identified that the big challenge for construction firms is to surpass the project budget. The large number of elements in construction projects, and of dependencies that exist between these elements, makes it difficult to manually identify the impact that a change in the design of a component will have on the entire project, when this change is initially proposed (Isaac and Nevon, 2012), whether due to client request, regulatory requirement, or unforeseen technical issues, these changes often lead to cost overruns, delays and dispute among stakeholders.
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How to cite this paper: Osazuwa, E. M. and Ikukaiwe, T. A. (2026). Strategies to Mitigate Design Changes on Building Project Cost in Edo State, Nigeria, PM World Journal, Vol. XV, Issue IV, April. Available online at https://pmworldjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/pmwj163-Apr2026-Osazuwa-Ikukaiwe-Strategies-to-Mitigate-Deisgn-Changes.pdf
About the Authors
Edosa Mark Osazuwa
Benin City, Nigeria
Edosa Mark Osazuwa, B.Tech, MTech (Quantity Surveying) serves as a Lecturer I in the Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He can be contacted at osazuwaedosamark@gmail.com
Thomas Azuka Ikukaiwe
Benin City, Nigeria
Thomas Azuka Ikukaiwe is an aspiring Quantity Surveying professional and an alumnus of the University of Benin. He specializes in construction cost consultancy and project management, dedicated to advancing best practices within the Nigerian construction industry. Thomas can be contacted at thomasikukaiwe@gmail.com
