Forcada, N; Macarulla, M; Gangolells, M and Casals, M (2016) Handover defects: Comparison of construction and post-handover housing defects. Building Research & Information, 44(3), pp. 279-288. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Although inspections occur during construction or at handover, customers do not normally participate. This situation creates a gap between the quality perceived by both contractors and customers. An analysis of 52 552 handover defects in 2179 flats in Spain is presented which identified their nature, the building element and trade where these defects are located. These results are compared with previous studies that analysed defects detected during the construction stage and those that remain after handing over the building to the client. The research reveals that structural defects are resolved during construction due to existing quality standards. However, other aesthetic and functional defects remain and/or arise at handover. Some defects are not resolved until customers complain after they first occupy the dwelling. Many functional defects arise due to the lack of involvement of end users in the early project stages.; Although inspections occur during construction or at handover, customers do not normally participate. This situation creates a gap between the quality perceived by both contractors and customers. An analysis of 52 552 handover defects in 2179 flats in Spain is presented which identified their nature, the building element and trade where these defects are located. These results are compared with previous studies that analysed defects detected during the construction stage and those that remain after handing over the building to the client. The research reveals that structural defects are resolved during construction due to existing quality standards. However, other aesthetic and functional defects remain and/or arise at handover. Some defects are not resolved until customers complain after they first occupy the dwelling. Many functional defects arise due to the lack of involvement of end users in the early project stages.;
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction defects; quality control; housing; Spain; customer complaints; defects; complaints; construction; architecture |
| Index terms: | end user, inspection, construction defect, complaint, housing, quality control, Spain, customer complaint, aesthetic, quality standard |
| Subjects: | contract obligations, factor and component analysis, project delivery, quality assurance, stakeholder, conflict resolution, construction type, Geography |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Quality Management, Design Practice, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Geographical Context, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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