EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES TO USAGE OF BUILDING CONSTURCTION COST INDICES GHANA

Price fluctuation contract is imperative and of paramount essence in the construction industry as it provides adequate relief and cushioning for changes in the prices of input resources during construction. As a result, several methods have been devised to better help in arriving at fair recompense in the event of price chang es. However, stakeholders often appear not to be satisfied with the existing methods of fluctuation evaluation, ostensibly because of the challenges associated with them. The aim of this study was to identify the challenges to usage of building construction cost indices in Ghana. Data was gathered from contractors and quantity surveying firms. The study utilized survey questionnaire approach to elicit responses from the contractors and the consultants. Data gathered was analyzed scientifically, using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the problems associated with the existing methods. The findings revealed the following among others; late release of data; inadequate recovery of costs; and work items of interest not included in the published indices as the main challenges of the existing methods. This study will provide useful lessons for policy makers and practitioners in decision making towards the usage and improvement of available indices.