ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS AFFECTING BUILDING MAINTENANCE COST OF PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION IN SIDAMA AND SOUTH NATION’S NATIONALITY AND PEOPLES REGION

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.