Probing Contractors’ Insights into Delay Mitigation Strategies for Private Housing Projects in Perak

Abstract

The construction industry plays a significant role in driving economic growth and urban development in Malaysia. Nevertheless, delays in private housing projects continue to be a persistent issue leading to project delay, cost overruns, quality deterioration and strained relationships among project stakeholders. These delays are influenced by a combination of internal and external factors thereby highlighting the importance of implementing effective mitigation strategies to enhance project delivery performance. This study investigates mitigation strategies for delays in private housing projects from the perspective of G7 contractors in Perak, Malaysia. A quantitative research approach was adopted through the distribution of structured questionnaires to industry practitioners. Simple random sampling was employed to select respondents comprising experienced G7 contractors actively involved in private housing construction projects in Perak. The questionnaire utilised a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the significance of various mitigation strategies for addressing project delays. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to identify and rank the most effective delay mitigation strategies. The findings reveal that several strategies are highly effective in mitigating project delays including clear project scope, effective project planning, training, strong consultation-contractor coordination and good monitoring and progress review. These strategies are considered essential in enhancing construction efficiency, reducing project disruptions, and improving overall project performance. This study provides valuable insights into delay mitigation practices within the private housing sector and offers practical recommendations for contractors, consultants, developers, and policymakers to minimise delays, improve project delivery, and achieve more sustainable and efficient construction project outcomes in Malaysia.