Abstract:
Building maintenance for higher education institutions is critical because educational tasks
require buildings that are in good condition, and maintenance costs are significant to keep
buildings in good condition, which is influenced by a variety of factors. The purpose of this
study is to determine out what factors influence building maintenance costs of higher education
institutions in Sidama and the South Nations Nationality and People Region. Based on a detail
review of literature, factors impacting maintenance costs were categorized into nine categories.
A questioner survey with 40 variables was distributed to maintenance management staff and
concerned administrative staffs at the selected institutions, and 81.1 percent of replies were
gathered. The most critical factors were ranked using relative importance index value
methodologies. The top five key issues identified by the data analysis were "insufficient budget
allocation," "poor maintenance management," "incorrect maintenance strategy," "building age,"
and "specification of substandard materials." According to the study, institutions' maintenance
managers should be properly structured in order to improve poor maintenance management by
implementing a proactive maintenance system and a planned budgeting system to allocate
adequate funds. The study's findings will benefit maintenance managers, the maintenance
industry, and facility owners by improving their understanding of the major factors influencing
building maintenance costs and methods for optimizing maintenance costs.
