Assessment of Post-Contract Cost Control Mechanisms in Federal Government Building Projects in Abuja

Post-contract cost control is a fundamental quantity surveying function that ensures project expenditure remains within approved budgets from contract award through to final account settlement. This study assesses the effectiveness of post-contract cost control mechanisms in federal government building projects in Abuja, covering projects managed by the Federal Ministry of Works. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with 88 quantity surveyors, project managers, and ministry engineers forming the respondent group. Structured questionnaires and review of project cost reports provided the data. Analysis was conducted using mean item scores and frequency distributions. Findings indicate that post-contract cost monitoring is inconsistently applied in federal building projects, with comprehensive cost reports prepared in fewer than 40% of sampled projects. The study finds that lack of resident quantity surveyors on site, irregular interim valuations, and inadequate post-contract documentation are the primary contributors to poor cost control performance. Projects managed without dedicated quantity surveying supervision averaged 23.7% cost overruns compared to 8.4% for those with resident surveyors. Recommendations include mandatory appointment of resident quantity surveyors for all federal building projects exceeding N500 million, quarterly cost performance reporting to the supervising minister, and digital cost management platforms linked to government financial management systems. This research provides timely evidence on the value of post-contract quantity surveying in public sector construction. Keywords: post-contract cost control, federal building projects, Abuja, quantity surveying, cost overrun