Volume 1, No. 2, 2007
Received: 2008/08/26, Accepted:
Authors:
Adnan Enshassi; Sherif Mohamed; Ibrahim Madi;
Abstract:
Construction projects have certain characteristics that determine the appropriate actions to estimate their costs
accurately. A key factor for a successful project is the preparation of an accurate estimate, which can influence
factors ranging from project feasibility to profitability. The success or failure of a project is dependent on the
accuracy of several estimates throughout the course of the project. Construction estimating is the compilation
and analysis of many items that influence and contribute to the cost of a project. The purpose of this paper is to
identify the essential factors related to cost estimation and to show the degree of importance of these factors in
cost estimation of construction projects in the Gaza strip from contractors’ perspective. The results of analyzing
fifty one factors considered in a questionnaire survey concluded that the main factors are: location of the project,
segmentation of the Gaza strip and limitation of movements between areas, political situation and closure of the
Gaza strip, financial status of the owner and increase in unit costs of construction materials. It is recommended
to review cost estimation practice in terms of education and training required for those responsible for the
estimating process. Contracting companies of various classifications are advised to provide training programs for
their estimators to gain experience in cost estimation.
Keywords:
Cost Estimation, Contractors, Building, Behavior.