Who would be ok with purchasing and living in an unsafe building?
Nobody!
Therefore it is only sensible to be on the safe side and do a construction quality check on the home you are planning to buy beforehand, or if you have already bought it, it is still never too late.
All it takes is a little careful eye, and you will be able to notice things that will easily tell you about the construction quality of the building. In cases where you are not able to notice anything, there is still a need for you to do a quality check to ensure that the house you are buying is newly constructed.
Seepage or peeling plaster from the walls is a big NO-NO! Further checking the elevators, fire system and if the building is earthquake resistant and even soil test is done before the construction begins so you can ask for a copy of the test from your developer is the right way towards a good quality check.
According to Section 14 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, it has been clearly laid down that it is the promoter’s responsibility to rectify any structural defect within a period of five years to ensure construction quality is not compromised.
A building MUST be built using only good construction quality material for its sustainability and protection against damage due to water seepage.
Quality Check of Fitting & Fixtures
Pay attention to the minute and little details while inspecting the construction quality of a home. Such as the fittings and fixtures of a new home determine the level of comfort of the homeowners, so while you are at the house, going around and checking if all switches and electric circuit system used are of good quality and ensure smooth functioning of the home is essential.
Further check if the kitchen and bathroom fittings such as taps, showerheads, washbasin, drainage pipes, etc., are in good condition.
You must inform the builder immediately if you notice any kind of water leakage or other damages and proper placement of doors and window panes. All such joints must be fixed and lubricated well to avoid creaking noises while opening. for additional info We have the best Real estate blogs in India. Real Estate is the process of buying and selling of land, houses, and other property.
Assess the Quality of Concrete Mix
How does the concrete mix help? The strength of the concrete mix used in a construction determines the load-bearing capacity of a structure. Nowadays, ready-mix concrete with the optimum concrete-sand ratio is available in the market.
A responsible builder will ensure that they use the best quality concrete mix for building homes, increasing the construction quality. You can make a quick quality check on the concrete used for construction by yourself by driving a nail into the wall. If the nail gets hammered easily inside without much effort, then it means that the concrete quality is not up to the mark.
Check the Plastering
While inspecting a home’s construction quality, you must check if there are any small cracks on wall plastering. Usually, all home buyers tend to overlook. Most houses may have cracks in the corners or lower portion of the walls, which may be hidden under a coat of paint, and this quality check is especially important if you are buying an aged property.
The wall cracks may be a prominent indication of poor quality plastering or even water leakage, and many builders try to deceive the buyers by using poor quality materials to construct a house or apartment. You being a home buyer, must never get duped by such offerings. Buy your home from a reliable or trusted builder with a good reputation as they will always use the best quality materials and therefore ensure their construction quality is up to mark.
Check the Quality of Sanitarywares and Bathroom fittings
The best way to make a quality check for sanitary ceramics and other equipment such as toilets, washbasins or bidets is to check its overall shape. Good quality fittings will always be comfortable to use. Check for cracks by gently tapping it – a hoarse sound could signify cracks, and apart from this, check the mounting surface whether it is even and smooth.
For bathroom fittings, checking the water flow, the speed etc. And the type of sinks and faucets used and how easy it would be to replace or find its parts and to make sure the tiles used in the bathroom and insist on anti-skid ones to avoid accidents
Check the Paint Quality
While you are at the site visit, look for uneven cracks on the wall plastering as even a minor crack could indicate the construction quality being compromised of the paint used on the walls. A lack of curing can also create cracks in the walls, and this would only increase with time if not taken care of prior. Good quality paint enhances the visual appeal as well as improve the longevity of the walls.
Check the Thickness of the Walls
It is important that the developer is required to mention the thickness of the walls during the layout agreements. One must go around the construction site to do a construction quality check if it holds true always. The thickness of the house walls must match what has been mentioned as the measurements given in your property’s legal documents.
While the other check one can make is to press any key against the wall, and it makes a hole easily, question the developer about the concrete mix. If the walls are no rigid, then this will create a hole or crack this way; you have your own quality check.
Tapping the walls with your knuckles to check the hollowness or usage of plywood inside the walls as builders often use plywood walls to add strength to the structure so termites can damage such structures if these are not treated properly, affecting the construction quality.
Assess the Structural Design
Suppose you are a person who is not familiar with the design and architectural techniques. In that case, it might be difficult to understand the structural nitty-gritty and checking the construction quality through that. Hence, you can hire an expert who can help you determine the design and structural strength of the building. Assess the construction quality in terms of its earthquake resistance, fire-fighting facilities, and emergency exits, and one must assess whether the building is constructed to withstand earthquakes of a certain magnitude and other common environmental disasters.
Therefore, the basic structural design of a building is another key aspect to consider while inspecting a house which includes wall, beams, columns, and roof determines the stability and strength of a building. They must be in such a way that it ensures maximum safety and rigidity to the building.
Most homebuyers may not be qualified enough to verify the structural quality of a building, so seeking assistance from a qualified architect or construction engineer to evaluate the construction quality of the building structure is necessary.
Investigating and Determining the Soil Quality
On a site visit, try to take notice and make a quality check on the soil type on which the building is built on. You must ask the contractor or the agent to understand the exact nature of the soil as its quality can differ from place to place.
It is the important element that determines the strength of the foundation. Black cotton soil and Clay-rich soil are not recommended for high-rise constructions. Therefore, buyers should inquire about soil test to ensure the construction quality is not compromised.
Certain soils types will not support high-rise buildings, and if the soil type is not stable, the foundation can even collapse. Since the type of soil varies from one location to another, the first step of a home quality check inspection is to check the characteristics of the ground soil on which the structure is built. The type of soil is a very crucial aspect to consider as it determines the strength of the building majorly.
Builders add sand to the soil foundation to improve the stability, but it won’t usually work with clay or cotton-rich soils as they have the very low bearing capacity and high swelling & shrinkage characteristics, therefore, reducing the construction quality drastically.
Every homebuyer must be aware of how to inspect the construction quality of a property, especially if you have finalized it.
Taking Help from Third-party Agencies
Do not shy away from seeking third party help. There are many agencies that can help you do a quality check before you sign the agreement papers, as these inspection agencies charge on the basis of the sq ft area of the house. Visiting the construction site and inspecting the walls physically with the help of a trusted architect can be the easiest way to check the construction quality of the building.
Role of RERA
Section 14 of the Real Estate (Regulations and Development) Act, 2016, clearly lays down the builder’s responsibility to rectify any structural defects within a period of five years, and it is essential that the property owners are made aware of this prior. However, this is only limited to the projects and buildings covered under the purview of the law.
Conclusion
Is it difficult to find a house that meets high-quality standards, and a majority of the homebuyers are not aware of ways to perform an effective quality check of construction of a house.
You may come across many nices properties or homes available at affordable rates, but you should not get blindsided and purchase without verifying certain quality criteria. Staying in a poor construction quality home can even put your life at risk!
Majority of the people who buy an already constructed home, on the other hand, ascertaining the construction quality always remains a challenge. Be it is a big-scale residential project or a duplex, or an independent floor, it is not easy for a homeowner to gauge the quality of the building and its materials used. But being aware of the latest and the top notch brands will definitely help.
We hope you found these construction quality checklist tips useful and informative to help you make an informed decision while buying a house. Now it’s your turn to choose a good builder in your locality and start looking for your dream abode. Learning how to verify a builder’s reputation before buying a flat is as essential as any other verification. Being aware of the nearby construction activities will also damage your building, and taking corrective measures on time can avoid future problems.