Determination of contract time for construction projects towards improving methods for estimating time

Contract time for any construction projects right from inception to completion is assuming great importance in the construction industry. The main objective of this study was to develop an improved method of systematic time estimates for construction projects in Tanzania. Such a method can be used by organizations involved in project planning and execution in building construction industry. The study used survey method to collect data whereby questionnaires were used supplemented with interviews. Views and opinions from practitioners in the construction industry were used to draw conclusions. Taking into account low level of the country’s infrastructure, communication and economic levels, the researcher investigated a typical model to use in estimating duration for a construction project in Tanzania. The study revealed that there is a need to have a wide knowledge of local challenges including infrastructures and economic levels that affect contract time for construction projects. It was noted traditional estimation of contract time was mostly based on actual time for activities on site. The study discovered that contract time was affected by actual activity schedule. Thus, there should be a way of looking into other factors like time for logistic management, mobilization of resources, external factors and provisional time for unforeseeable events, which play a great role in most delays of construction projects