Identifying and evaluating the key claim causes leading to construction delays

Claim causes can lead to serious construction delays. No studies have been conducted to determine claim causes leading to the construction delays. The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the key claim causes that contribute to the construction delays. A questionnaire survey is designed to collect data from practitioners. This study identifies forty-five claim causes leading to the construction delays. Using factor analysis technique, six key claim causes are discovered, namely contract’s problems, inappropriate action of owner, contractor’s lack of competence, impediment problems from owner/consultant, uncontrollable objective problems, and contractor’s bidding issues. The SEM model indicates that contract’s problems is the most important key cause, followed by inappropriate action of owner, while contractor's lack of competence is the least important key cause leading to construction delays. Impediment problems from owner/consultant, uncontrollable objective problems, and contractor’s bidding issues are quite influential in leading to construction delays. This study extends the body of knowledge related to claims in construction projects. The findings of the study may assist managers in minimizing claims that result in construction delays.