CAUSES OF CONSTRUCTION DELAY

Approach to Minimize Causes that Delay Construction

Projects in Saudi Arabia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends and family for the support they provided me and their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without which I would have never been able to do this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, and this dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic or professional level, previously. It is also representing my very own views and not essentially those that are associated with the university.

Signed __________________ Date________________CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Delay in Construction Projects

In the general sense, delay in construction is recognized as the most commonly occurring, complex, costly and risky problem that is faced in construction projects. This is due to the predominate significance of time that is consumed during construction, for both the proprietor of the project and the contractor. The proprietor expects timely delivery of the project and good performance, whereas the contractor expects timely payment of money.

When construction projects are delayed, they result in frequent conflicts and claims which ultimately lead to court cases. Delay occurs in every construction project of the world, and the enormity of these delays diverges from project to project. Some of the projects are delayed only for a few days behind their planned date, whereas some of the projects take over a year or more for completion. Therefore, there was a necessity to conduct research into the root causes of delay, so that the loss, which occurs as a result of delay, is minimized.



2.1.2. Delay in Construction Projects in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, there have been numerous construction projects which have been delayed. The causes for delays in construction projects in Saudi Arabia can be due to various factors, which can include financial, managerial and technical causes. These factors can be separated into causes, which involve contractors, owners or consultants. Currently, the Saudi government has promulgated laws according to which any contractor, under whose supervision a project is delayed, is subjected to punishment by law. In such cases, the contractor needs to request for a time extension if the delay was not deliberate or could not be avoided (Al-Khalil & Al-Ghafly, 1999a). If the supervisors still find that the contractor is responsible for the delay, the requested permission is not given. If a delay took place without a time extension being requested, the contractor is deemed responsible and is subjected to fines in accordance with the project's deal (Al-Khalil & Al-Ghafly, 1999a).

The hot climate in Saudi Arabia creates a test for transnational developers who have not worked on big developments in hot countries, previously. These challenges begin with the fact that, in the building industry, the majority of labor is carried out out-of-door, without air conditioning, unlike most other lines of work. The people taking part in these developments would ...