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Introduction

Over the past decade or so, many Western and Asian countries have reviewed and reformed their building control systems. One reason for this is that new building control regimes offer the opportunity to streamline complicated building proposal approval procedures and decentralise the building control work carried out by government, including the checking of building proposals, monitoring of building work and inspection of completed works. It also permits greater private sector involvement in the design or construction process of building works, and encourages creativity in design and other innovations (Yau, 2009). Following this global trend, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government reviewed its building control policy and decided to implement a new Minor Works Control System (MWCS) at the end of 2010, which aims to simplify the approval procedures for proposed building works. Under the new system, private sector practitioners who register under the MWCS are certified to perform specific types of small-scale building works. The government believes that through the execution of the MWCS, the general building quality standard in Hong Kong will be improved. As the greater involvement of registered minor works contractors (RMWCs) is expected under the new building control system, the new regime may have a considerable impact on the daily business operations and job performance of the RMWCs, including project duration, operating costs, quality of work and job safety, which in turn will affect the development of the minor works sector in Hong Kong. To date, our understanding of the effectiveness of this new building control system on improving building quality is still limited and subject to question (Yau, 2009). In view of this, this study aims to follow up the initial study by Yau (2009) on the MWCS to evaluate its impact on contractors following its implementation in 2011. The specific objectives of this study are:

  • to understand the impact of the MWCS on the performance of minor works contractors because its implementation in 2011; and

  • to suggest measures to improve the effectiveness of the MWCS.

A review of minor works control regulations in Hong Kong

Traditional building control in Hong Kong

Traditionally, building work in Hong Kong has been regulated by the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Chapter 123). According to Section 14 of the BO, the...

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