Study of Construction Cost Estimation Practices in the North East Geopolitical Zone: A Case of Maiduguri

Reliable construction cost estimation is particularly challenging in post-conflict and fragile environments where conventional cost data are often unavailable and market disruptions are frequent. This study examines construction cost estimation practices in Maiduguri, Borno State, a city that has experienced significant conflict-related disruption affecting its construction industry. A qualitative-quantitative mixed-method design was adopted, with 70 respondents including resident quantity surveyors, contractors, and reconstruction project managers participating through structured questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that limited availability of local cost databases, restricted supplier competition, security logistics surcharges, and high insurance premiums significantly inflate construction costs in Maiduguri relative to national averages. Quantity surveyors operating in the region rely heavily on experience-based estimation rather than structured cost data, and few have access to software-aided estimating tools. The study finds that humanitarian construction projects tend to use international cost norms ill-suited to the local market. Recommendations include the development of a Borno State construction cost index, capacity building for quantity surveyors in conflict-sensitive project environments, and engagement of NIQS with state emergency management agencies for cost benchmarking. This study makes an original contribution to the limited body of literature on quantity surveying in fragile and conflict-affected states in North East Nigeria. Keywords: cost estimation, construction, Maiduguri, fragile environment, quantity surveying