ASSESSMENT OF MATERIAL MANAGEMENT ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITES: A STUDY OF SELECTED CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN THE CAPE COAST METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT The control of materials on construction sites is handled by planning and purchasing departments, site supervisors and engineers as well as contractor’s organization and this have been posing various problems to contractors in realizing reasonable profit margin. The main purpose of the study was to assess material management of construction companies in Cape Coast Metropolis. This study assessed the current practices of managing materials on building projects, the problems associated with materials management and measures for managing materials in building projects in Cape Coast Metropolis. The study was carried out through the administration of questionnaire to professionals in both consulting and contracting firms and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority of the employees’ had adequate knowledge on materials management practices (purchasing of materials, material planning method and transportation of materials). The most severe problem militating against materials management was lack of proper work planning and scheduling while other problems include inadequate cash flow to contractors due to delayed payments, burglary, theft and vandalism. The study recommends that management should improve their supervision on site, materials should be adequately handled when delivered, care should be given to materials handling process and more awareness should be given to the knowledge of materials management on building projects most especially on construction sites.