This paper reports the results of a pilot survey of the opinions of architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and contractors regarding professional ethics within the South African construction industry. Data were gathered using a mail questionnaire sent to 16 architects, 17 quantity surveyors, 15 engineers, and 15 construction managers. The survey was conducted in the Western Cape region of South Africa, the intention being to expand the research to cover all provinces in South Africa at a later stage.

The purpose of the research project was to establish the nature and extent of ethical standards in the construction industry in the Western Cape, and to determine the views on ethics by members of the construction team. More specifically, the issues of collusion, bribery, negligence, fraud and dishonesty, and unfair practices, as examples of unethical behaviour, are examined.

It is concluded that various forms of unethical behaviour are practised in the South African construction industry, including collusion, bribery, negligence, and fraud. Moreover, it was determined that different professional groupings appear to have differing standards of ethical behaviour.