Abstract

Over the last ten years there has been a constant call from both clients and
the government for improvements in the quality achieved by the private
house building sector of the UK construction industry. The Egan Report
(1998) identified the need for a consistent reduction in the level of defects
found within construction projects. This 20% annual reduction being
perceived as a key indicator of sustained improvement: the goal of zero
defects being heralded as a realistic achievement within 5 years. The reality
of course is that little has been done to improve the industry’s record with
regard to the determination of the origins and causes of defects, nor their
eradication.

The aim of this research was to determine whether there are common
sources, causes and prevailing trends of defects in new homes in the UK.
The research was carried out using a hybrid system conducted under the
positivist (quantitative paradigm) that uses a combination of quantitative
techniques for analysing numerical data and also utilises numerical
techniques for analysing qualitative (content analysis) data.

Findings from analyses of the records of some 200,000 defects discovered

on 3696 new homes shows that as the size of the house rises by the number
of bedrooms, the average snagging figure rises with five bedroom houses
having on average 120 snagging items. The research also found that the
80/20 rule (Paretto principle) can be applied to this research as 20% of the
terms used to search the main database accounted for around 80% of the
actual snagging items observed; which basically means that 80% of the
snagging items arise from 20% of the causes. Discussion is given to the
impact of the continuing levels of defects found and the need for
understanding of the typology of these defects and management of the
causal agent. Recommendations for further research and examination of the
indirect costs associated with the snagging process are made. These analyses
would highlight the effect of snagging levels upon organisational and
industry performance.
Abstract
Residential home owners residing on land in close proximity to whisky bonded warehouses

are suffering from a growth of black fungus on the external fabric of their properties. It is

believed that the source of this fungus growth is ethanol which is released into the air during

the maturation process of whisky within the bonded warehouses. The unsightly fungus

(known as Whisky Black) grows on a range of materials from timber to stainless steel.

Residents have removed the fungus from their properties using power washers and abrasive

cleaning solutions; however, the fungus has been seen to re-appear on the property within a

year of the cleaning taking place.

The aim of this research was to investigate the growth of Whisky Black on residential

properties in Dumbarton, West of Scotland. The research was undertaken in the form of a

case study where quantitative data was collected during visual inspections of fifty residential

properties adjacent to bonded warehouses.

The data collected confirmed that all fifty properties were affected by the growth of the

fungus, although to a varying extent. The severity of the growth varied across the data set; of

the fifty homes, those situated in the closest proximity to the warehouse experienced the

heaviest growth of the fungus. The visual inspections highlighted that the extent of growth of

the fungus differed by construction material, following analysis of the data collected it was

determined that materials with a rough texture suffered from heavier growth than those with a

smooth textured surface.

It was also concluded that the elevations facing in the immediate direction of the bonded

warehouses were the most severely affected. Recommendations are made for further research

which should be carried out in order to develop the knowledge of the growth of the fungus

and ways in which it can be prevented or reduced.

Abstract

Quality standards are of significant importance to a client in any project. There is a

continuing problem within the construction industry where these standards are not being met,

ultimately resulting in non-conformance occurring. Non-conformance continues to occur in

projects due to poor workmanship, design and inefficient sub-contractors, and is showing no

signs of declining despite the costs that can be associated to the overall problem. These costs

could be prevented if the client’s requirements were met first time and every time. Actual aim not 
mentioned 

This study has focused on non-conformance within a large UK based contractors organisation

on a variety of projects assessing the root causes of the non-conformance items and the cost

implications that have arisen as a result of the non-conformance. Firstly an in-depth literature

review was undertaken to assess the overall problem of non-conformance and to increase the

author’s knowledge of this problem within the construction industry. Data was then extracted

from a large UK contractor’s organisation quality management system which included 5000

non-conformance items on a variety of projects to assess the extent of the problem of non-

conformance. Actual method adopted 
not highlighted

The results from this analysis of the data highlighted the root causes of non-conformance,

costs implications and the additional time taken to rectify and correct the defective work.

Non-conformance costs of over £6 million were found over a two year period. Furthermore it

highlighted the high volume of non-conformance items identified on various projects,

demonstrating clients requirements are not being met first time and the desired levels of

quality are not be achieved.

Brief conclusion but 
could have been more in 
depth
Abstract
Snagging is one of the main causes of project delays and cost overruns in the UK
construction industry. Currently, there are few organisations that try to address this issue.
Having worked with the Main Contractor, Barr Construction, it was brought to the attention
of the writer of this dissertation, that the manner in which the snagging process was being
undertaken was irregular, unreliable and inconsistent. This was witnessed at the final stages
of some projects. This research study is therefore an evaluation of the snagging process
within the Main Contractor, Barr Construction. This should read ‘the aim of the 
research is therefore’ 

To assess the snagging process which was being carried out on the Main Contractor’s various
sites, the author had to collect numerous snagging lists from different projects. To fully
understand the method behind the generation of the list, the Project Manager responsible for
the selected project had to explain how the snags were identified, noted, transferred and
distributed to the various Sub-Contracting organisations responsible for the rectification.
Furthermore, there were twelve snagging lists collected, which had to be transferred into a
suitable database ensuring that the writer was able to produce results using a mixed method
approach. It was intended that results would be produced across the organisation as a whole,
but due to the inconsistency in the data, the projects had to be analysed on an individual
project basis. Data collection mentioned but 
actual method is not highlighted 

The results from the data collected were hard hitting. It was discovered that on the twelve
projects analysed, there were differentiations between the manners in which each Project
Management team were embarking upon the snagging process. It was also ascertained that
due to the inconsistency in the collection method, there was no means to analyse Barr
Construction’s snagging process across the organisation. These results proved that there was
a lack of company procedure, lack of co-ordination on site and a lack of organisation of the
snagging data.

Due to the determined findings, it is proposed that the Main Contractor, Barr Construction,
review the current process with a view to standardising an implementing a new process
throughout the organisation.
 ABSTRACT

This paper will compile and report it’s finding of the idea of “Partnering” with regards to the

construction and built environment industry, focusing on the UK. The report shall review the

rationale behind the development and introduction of a new form of contract. The report shall

asses the manufacturing and logic behind the creation of the new form of contract and how it

works when applied to a project within the construction industry.

Reviewing relevant literature, this report will highlight the significant persons/organisations

who have been fundamental in the development of this new form of procurement. This

report shall research and analysis the application of Partnering legislation and where it

succeeds as a procurement method and where it’s down fall are. Contained within this report

will be the opinions of relevant personnel and organisations whom utilise this form of

contract in a working environment.

The data collated and methodology used with relation to this report shall be highlighted and

analysed throughout, this shall include observation from key personnel within the

construction industry by way of reviewing and evaluating specific projects where this

practice has occurred. The hypothesis trailing the idea of Partnering shall be analysed and an

assessment will be concluded on how they work when applied in real life.