Success Factors Informing the Choice of a Builder for Owner-Build Incremental Housing in the Global South: A Study from Ghana

Abstract

Whereas the factors informing the choice of a builder in public sector procurement are known, there is a lack of country-specific studies that investigated the factors informing the choice of a builder for owner-build incremental housing although it had been the dominant means of homeownership in the Global South. This current study determined the underlying success factors informing the choice of a builder for owner-build incremental housing in Ghana and, established the relative influence of each of the underlying factors. A structured questionnaire and structured interview helped in data collection. Data were analysed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the Relative Importance Index (RII). Thirty-five (35) underlying factors, organized under six main factors, informed the choice of a builder for owner-build incremental housing in Ghana. Each recorded a significant RII value from 0.80 to 0.94. Adequacy factors, Cost-based factors, Time-based factors, and Quality-based factors were consistent with the theoretical framework that underpinned the study. Client-builder relationships and Ghana-specific factors were unique to this Ghana study. In terms of civil and construction engineering practices, this study has offered an understanding of how owner-builders choose builders for owner-build incremental housing.