The house builder's handbook
What to do before you start, who to hire, how to buy, and what to check before you pay.
Before you start
- Have a lawyer verify plot title, mutation and land use before you pay anything.
- Commission a soil test — it decides the foundation type and can save lakhs.
- Hire an architect and a structural engineer; structural drawings are not optional.
All 6 lessons on before you start →
Hiring contractors
- Labour-only contracts give you control over material quality; turnkey contracts save your time. Choose knowingly.
- Visit two houses each contractor has built and talk to those owners.
- Sign a written agreement covering scope, specifications, brands, timeline and delay penalties.
All 6 lessons on hiring contractors →
Buying materials smart
- Compare at least three quotes for every major item — Nirmaan's quote comparison does this for you.
- Insist on GST invoices; they prove genuine material and support warranty claims.
- Check at delivery: count bags, get the weighbridge slip for steel, count bricks per load.
All 6 lessons on buying materials smart →
Site supervision
- Visit daily or appoint a site engineer — mistakes are cheap only before concrete is poured.
- Before every pour, check bar sizes, spacing, cover blocks and lap positions.
- Watch concrete being mixed and count bags per batch.
All 6 lessons on site supervision →
Monsoon and summer
- Try to finish foundation work and roof slabs before the monsoon.
- Store cement raised off the floor under tarpaulin, never against walls.
- Cover fresh concrete from heavy rain for the first few hours.
All 6 lessons on monsoon and summer →
Planning your layout
- Place living spaces to catch north and east light; limit large west-facing glass.
- Put windows on opposite walls for cross-ventilation.
- Stack bathrooms and kitchens vertically to simplify plumbing.
All 6 lessons on planning your layout →
Safety on site
- Workers above 2 m need helmets, safety shoes and harnesses.
- Barricade excavations and let neighbours know before heavy work.
- Use proper scaffolding, not ladders balanced on bricks.
All 6 lessons on safety on site →
Money and loans
- Construction loans are released in stages; plan payments to match.
- Keep every GST invoice — they support loan disbursements and future valuation.
- Materials are roughly 60% of cost and labour 25–30%; don't cut labour quality to save money.
All 6 lessons on money and loans →
Handover and after
- Walk through with a checklist: every tap, switch, door, window and drain.
- Collect warranties, invoices and the photos of concealed pipes and wiring in one folder.
- Apply for the completion or occupancy certificate from your local body.