Abstract
Quality has been a concern in housing delivery leaving warranted homeowners dissatisfied. The rapid increase of warrantee claims and increase cases of poor quality in housing delivery consequently affecting the economy as the built environment contributes significantly to the GDP of the country. Poor quality in housing projects partly results from poor inspection, as inspectors play a critical role in assuring quality in housing delivery. While studies have been conducted on factors affecting quality in housing delivery, limited research have been done on warranty scheme provider factors affecting quality assurance in housing delivery in Gauteng, South Africa. However, inspectors with their limited capability, skills, and experience to perform effectively also need internal and other external factors to perform effectively. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors influencing inspectors’ performance in assuring quality. The study adopted a quantitative method approach, with the use of a questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions completed by quality inspectors, contractors, and homeowners. The questionnaire was designed to understand the inspector’s contribution and performance on their day-to-day duties in assuring quality. Contractors’ and homeowners’ perception of quality assurance systems application, knowledge of building inspection in housing projects and overall determine the factors influencing quality assurance. The sub-scales were measured in the reliability test (Cronbach’s alpha). The questionnaire was analysed through Standard Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22, the open-ended questions were analysed using descriptive statistics and the closed-ended questions with thematic analysis. Multiple regression (MRA) was used to analyse the data. The key findings of this research have shown that there is a need to improve the quality of housing under warranty scheme providers in Gauteng, as it was found that respondents are dissatisfied. Moreover, in improving quality in housing projects it is important to improve inspectors’ role, although it was indicated that inspectors’ role is dependent on contractors’ response to quality standards and procedures. The factors influencing quality were found to be activities undertaken by inspectors, inspection services, and internal and external factors. This is evidence that there is a need to improve quality inspection since these findings have shown the role of inspection cannot be ignored in terms of improving quality in housing projects. The knowledge of the findings will guide the housing regulatory bodies on which factors they need to focus on in improving quality, and assist with finding possible strategies and measures that need to be taken to improve inspectorate functions in housing delivery.
M.Eng. (Construction Management)