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The Financial Implication of Weather Condition as a Determinant of On-Site Productivity and Contract Duration

Amadi Alolote Ibim

Abstract


The effects of weather conditions on construction projects is an identifiable one as inclement weather can cause a lot of upset in works being executed, particularly in substructure and the wet trades such as concrete works. A cold dry weather harsh weather as in the case of the harmattan period causes drying out before concrete sets. Wet weather such as those experienced during the rainy seasons, which in the Niger delta and particularly in Port Harcourt lasts over extensive periods, has an even more severe impact on construction works as it could lead to disruption and even complete stoppage of work on site. Given the rising cost of building materials and interest rate, overcoming these problems will involve considerable additional costs to the developer due to loss of working time as a result of unproductive man-hours. This paper thus explores the effects of weather conditions on site productivity and project duration and the way they account for variations in the cost of two similar buildings erected in different locations in Port Harcourt under varying weather conditions. This is analytically portrayed by a comparative cost-time variance analysis of two 3-Bedroom bungalows constructed during the dry and rainy seasons respectively. Significant discrepancies are observed between planned and actual time/cost for the project constructed during the rainy season particularly for trades that require dry weather conditions. It, therefore, becomes glaring that all necessary steps be taken to avoid such wasteful expenditure of available financial resources during construction that may accrue due to unfavourable weather conditions. In view of this fact, suggestive measures are put forward to downplay these negative influences of weather on project cost, thus ensuring optimal allocation of building clients' funds.

 

Keywords: On-Site Productivity, Financial Implication, Contract Duration, weather conditions, concrete works


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