How to Check the Construction Quality of Your Home

Living in an unsafe building is not what you would ever want to do. So, it is sensible to be on the safe side and do a quality check on the house you are planning to buy or have already bought.

If you are a little careful you will be able to notice things which tell you about the construction quality of a building. However, if you are not able to notice anything you still need to ensure that the house you are buying is newly constructed.

There should not be any seepage or peeling plaster from the ceiling or walls. You also need to check the elevators, fire system and if the building is earthquake resistant. Soil testing is done before the construction begins so you can ask for a copy of the test from your developer.

RERA and structural defect liability

Section 14 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, clearly lays down that it is the promoter’s responsibility to rectify any structural defect within a period of five years.

“A buyer can check the construction quality by looking at the paint and plastering on the walls, installation of tiles on the floors and walls, water fixtures, sanitary installations, doors and windows etc. He should check all these things before buying. Even if he has already bought the property, he can bring it to the builder’s notice,” says Praveen Jain, Vice Chairman, Naredco.

Here is a checklist for home buyers:

1.        Check the quality of the building material
2.        Good construction ensures the safety of a building
3.        Construction should be checked at the time of booking
4.        Get the wet areas checked like bathroom, kitchen etc
5.        Check for leakages and patches on walls
6.        If a nail does not enter a wall easily that means its good
7.        Check the slopes of floors so water flows into drains
8.        Rub the plaster from the walls to assess quality

A building should be built using good quality construction material for its sustainability and protection against damage due to water seepage.

Dr. PR Swarup, director general, Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) explains, “You do not get oven fresh units even in new buildings because by the time you get possession it is already old. Rusting sets in faster if the building is old, which is a dangerous thing for the structure. Just like a human body, the structure’s health should be diagnosed. If the construction is poor even a new building can collapse but where construction quality is good, then even old buildings can have a long life.”

Swarup further says “If a construction is ten years old the structure has already completed one third of its life. Check the previous projects by the builder for construction quality assessment that is the easiest thing that can be done as a buyer. Check for leakages on the exterior or interior areas. When you do a physical or visual inspection, you get some idea about the construction quality of the project.”

Apart from this, you also need to be aware of the nearby construction activities which may damage your building. Corrective measures can be taken on time to avoid future problems. It is important to ensure that wet areas do not have any seepage, leakages or water flowing into walls. Ignoring these signs may weaken your building’s quality and sustainability.