Examining the Expense of Quality Assurance in Construction Endeavors

Abstract

This research focuses on assessing the cost of quality in the construction industry of Pakistan, particularly during
the design and construction phase of building projects. Through a quantitative approach, data was collected from
125 questionnaires, group discussions, and interviews. The study aims to analyze critical factors influencing
quality using the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Mean Item Score (MIS) method, as well as to calculate the
total Cost of Quality as a percentage. Findings indicate a significant lack of emphasis on quality management
practices within construction organizations, with many failing to allocate budgets for quality assurance and
control. Critical factors affecting the Cost of Quality include project complexity and size, efficiency of quality
management systems, contractor classification, supervision team experience, and project location. Furthermore,
the total cost of quality for construction projects was found to be 54.32%, with prevention costs accounting for
15.5% of the budget, appraisal costs constituting 12.3% of the budget, internal failure costs amounting to 13.9%
of the budget, and external failure costs totaling 12.6% of the budget. Recommendations include the development
of clear quality policies, prioritizing critical factors affecting quality, proper allocation of budget for quality
control, and establishment of dedicated quality control management departments within organizations. This study
contributes to understanding the importance of quality management in construction projects and highlights the
need for proactive quality assurance and control mechanisms to enhance project outcomes and mitigate financial
risks.