THE EFFECT OF COST OF ROOF ON THE TOTAL COST OF A BUILDING. A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED BUILDINGS IN AWKA SOUTH- ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

The research looked at the effect of cost of roof on the total cost of a building (A case study of some selected buildings in Awka South, Anambra).It determines the attributes that effect the cost of roof, it finds out type of roofs and their cost implications and also examine the cost of the roof on the total cost of a building. Practicing Quantity Surveyor were consulted and their experiences on various types of roof were shared and compared. These experiences were used in fixing prices to the unpriced bill of quantities given to them. Data so collected were subjected to analysis: Bill of Quantities was used in presenting the cost of different types of roof design as it affects the total cost.

The following findings and recommendation were made:

·  On cost alone, low pitch roof is cheaper to construct than a higher pitch roof. Concrete flat roof of the same size and shape were found to be costlier than the previously stated roof types.

·  Adequate attention should be given at the design stage when deciding on the geometrical shape of roofs because complex design in roof leads to in crease in cost of roof.

·  Architect and Quantity Surveyors should critically examine the effect of any particular type of roof design before specifying them, especially where cost is the critical factor in a building project.

·  To improve on duration of roof covering, the material should be adequately protected from rust by use of anti- rust and in the case of aluminum, it must be stucco embossed or baked but not spray painted.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The overall building cost of both private and public buildings are important as it is the summation of all the building element cost. Douglas and Peter (1980) believe that the total expenditure on the development of a project will be much higher than the net cost (of production) of the building fabric, necessitating financiers and stake holder in the industry need to know the total cost of fabric within a short time from the giving brief while contractors are concerned on how cost is allotted within the building.

A Quantity surveyor whose work is to cost the materials for the building will know which material that is relevant to that particular building, and remove those that are not relevant in order to reduce cost. He must bear in mind that the effective development of project depends on the estimated total cost of that project. Efficiency in execution and completion on time would be expedited by comparison of the cost of materials, time and labor with respect to various elements of building project especially the roof element.

Building material and components constitute between 50-60% of the total cost of construction input. Building materials and components for buildings must be properly selected to comply with standard and specifications. Many materials are satisfactory in some condition but not in others. However their choice will be governed by the ability of the materials to withstand the effect of climate and fulfill their design function, with respect to maintenance and overall economic implication. With this Architects should be careful during the design stage to avoid making wrongly selection of material for example if wrong roof covering was selected during design stage, the cost of the roof construction may be lower but the maintenance cost will be higher and the roof may not last long. To achieve quality roof, the Architects should have in mind the quality of the material they are specifying so that the material should be such that can withstand the effect of climate on the total cost of the building project.

The Prime Consultant who is responsible for obtaining the necessary approvals from appropriate authorities, designing of the work and other important steps, should ensure that his design is not for aesthetics but for functionality because some designers may fail to realize that their design can be too complex for site conditions and can present problems of build ability. For example, the choice of complicated roof design or concrete flat roof may pose more construction, maintenance problem and higher cost of construction than design that specified simple pitched roof.

1.2 AIM

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of cost of roof on the total cost of a building in Awka South Local Government Area.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY.

The objectives of this study are:

1.     To determine attributes that affect the cost of roof

2.     To find out type of roofs and their costs implications.

3.     To examine the cost of the roof elements to the total cost of a building.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The versatility in roof design implies that roofs vary as variety of designs thus affecting the total cost of the building. This should therefore advise careful selection of design and materials for roof structure.

1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

The study is based on a building design with a selected range of differing roof designs. A comparison is thus made of the varying total building cost to prove the hypothesis.