Research Article
Delay and Cost Overrun in Construction Projects:
A Regression Analysis in Southeastern Nigeria
Okoye Oluchukwu Nwabufo Nzubechukwu*
,
Paul Eshofune Precious
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
78-89
Received:
4 May 2026
Accepted:
18 May 2026
Published:
30 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.eas.20261103.11
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Abstract: Construction delays are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the building industry in Nigeria. Despite the proliferation of construction delays in the country, there is a paucity of regression-based research investigating the causes of such delays in Southeastern Nigeria. A survey of 138 clients, contractors and consultants of road and building construction companies in Enugu and Anambra states, Nigeria, supplemented with the interview of an engineer with many years of experience in the construction industry, provides insights into the causes of construction delays in the region. Two multiple linear regression models were estimated, treating cost overrun and time overrun as distinct dependent variables and seven stakeholder-grouped delay factor categories as independent predictors. Contractor-related factors ranked highest descriptively (mean = 3.91), and delay in progress payment was the most severe individual factor (mean = 3.84). Regression analysis revealed that consultant-related factors were the strongest direct predictors of both cost overrun (β = 0.524, p < 0.001) and time overrun (β = 0.628, p < 0.001), despite ranking only fourth descriptively, a gap that challenges the assumption that perceived delay attribution reliably predicts measurable project outcomes. The models collectively explained 47.7% (R2 = 0.477) and 52.2% (R2 = 0.522) of the variance in cost and time overrun respectively. Effective performance improvement requires coordinated action by all three stakeholder groups, with contractually binding payment schedules, proactive contractor planning, and performance-based consultant accountability as priority interventions.
Abstract: Construction delays are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the building industry in Nigeria. Despite the proliferation of construction delays in the country, there is a paucity of regression-based research investigating the causes of such delays in Southeastern Nigeria. A survey of 138 clients, contractors and consultants of road and building construction ...
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