International Journal of
Innovation, Management and Technology

Abstract

Defect liability period (DLP) is the period a contractor is liable to make good the defects and how reasonable the defects liability period is to allow defects (patent and latent) to manifest? Most of the defects are due to shoddy workmanship and sub- standard materials used during construction activities. This paper examines the occurrence of defects during and after the defect liability period and the contractual terms of defects between Malaysia and Nigeria. The Federal university of technology, Akure, Nigeria and Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia (Skudai campus) were chosen as case study cases. Findings from the study revealed that 12months defects liability period practice in Malaysia is reasonable enough to allow defects to manifest within the period. Whereas in Nigeria most of the defects manifestation often occur after the 6 months defect liability period allowed which really poses a major threat to employers and amount to economic loss. The study suggests extension of defects liability period in Nigeria to 12 months as it is done in Malaysia so as to allow the employer to have value for money invested.