Standardization and Cost Effectiveness in Construction for Sustainable Development

Abstract

The ongoing challenges faced in building industry, such as poor quality construction, low profitability and high construction costs, results in demands for higher value, cost saving, better quality and longer guarantees in construction finds solution in standardization and cost effectiveness in construction for sustainable development. Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs, it cuts across environmental, social and economic factors. Sustainable construction therefore, should ensure the design, construction and effective management of the built environment on prudent use of available resources. The goal of cost effectiveness in construction is to save money while also maintaining building quality. This paper therefore, focuses on principles of sustainability in construction industry – challenges and benefits, implementation of standardization and cost effectiveness in the construction sector – barriers and the way forward. Council of Registered Builder of Nigeria is making frantic efforts in achieving its mandate on standardization and sustainability of the construction industry. This will need the contributions and support of other stakeholders in the construction sector. When this is effectively implemented, many benefits are gained by the company, staff, clients, constructors and built environment professionals. Nevertheless, the implementation of standardization for a sustainable construction sector is associated with certain challenges which can be handled by constantly strategizing ways of educating and enforcing of the standards, projecting the benefits and rewarding companies for sustainable standardization best practices.