(Shutterstock) At a time when several real estate developers are competing in the market to offer multiple residential units at interesting prices, it’s important for the buyer to ensure that the construction is of good quality. If you are a homebuyer and planning to invest in an under-construction project, checking and measuring the construction quality of the project should be of paramount importance.

1. When investing in such a property, it is advisable to make a surprise visit to the construction site and check the construction quality.
2. Although checking the construction quality is not an easy task, MakaaniQ tells you how to take a quality test.
3. Investigate the soil The quality and type of soil on which the building is built are very crucial.

The soil type differs from place to place and the type of soil determines whether it can bear the foundation of a high-rise. Clay-rich soil and black cotton soil are examples of some forms of soils which are not recommended for construction as they tend to expand, swell and shrink depending upon moisture or water.

• A soil test is conducted before the construction process begins.
• You can ask for a copy of the test from your developer.
• Determine the structure design Being a layman, it may be difficult for you to rightly understand the structural design of the building.
• Take the help of an expert to determine the design created by the architect.

It is important to assess the property thoroughly for the strength to resist the earthquake of a certain magnitude. Check the concrete mix The strength of concrete determines the load a structure can bear and carry. Usually, developers monitor the quality and strength of the concrete, but at times, it gets difficult to prepare the mix and check the concrete every time.

In such cases, it is always better to opt for ready-mix concrete as an alternative. Inspect the wall thickness In the layout agreements, the developers mention the width of walls. Take a tour to the construction site to check if he has actually put them into practice. During the check, use any key and try to press against the wall.

If you can easily make a hole with it, it is evident that the developer has used low-quality material. Also, to check the hollowness of the wall, tap with your knuckles to hear the kind of sound it makes. Ensure safety features Check the safety measures taken by the developer such as earthquake resistance, emergency evacuation or fire exit.

Check the size and space of the stairway. It should be wide enough for two people to run alongside, in case of emergency. Look for paint and plastering quality Check the plastering on the outer walls. The uneven cracks on the wall plastering is an indicator that the foundation or the quality of the building construction is not good.

Similarly, quality paint on the walls enhance visual appeal and improves the longevity of the walls and wooden spaces. Examine the elevators There have been cases where elevators have fallen in buildings, either due to poor maintenance or improper installation.

1. Check for the licence and maintenance of elevator as taken by the developer.
2. Also, check for the elevator ratio in the residential project.
3. Generally, three elevators and one service lift are ideal for a single tower.
4. Do check for its capacity too, especially in case of high-rises as it should be able to accommodate more people in a single trip.

Last Updated: Wed Dec 05 2018 Architecture an. under-construct. makaaniq-india Real Estate Con. Quality Check

How to check the thickness of a wall before building?

5. Study The Wall Thickness – The specifications for the wall thickness are mentioned in the brochures and the legal documents of the building and house. Hence it is important to check whether the finished walls match the specifications. You may be wondering, how can you at all verify a wall thickness once it is constructed? The answer to it is:

Hire a construction expert or an architect who possess the right knowledge and method to verify the wall thickness.Press the walls with your hands or try to prick in some sharp object through the walls. If it pierces easily, then you are rest assured the quality has been compromised.Tap the walls with your knuckles and try to hear any hollow sound, which indicates low wall quality

Important For Wall Quality : Why Hollow Bricks Give You Better Value For Money Than Solid Bricks?

How do you know if a wall is high quality?

5. Study The Wall Thickness – The specifications for the wall thickness are mentioned in the brochures and the legal documents of the building and house. Hence it is important to check whether the finished walls match the specifications. You may be wondering, how can you at all verify a wall thickness once it is constructed? The answer to it is:

Hire a construction expert or an architect who possess the right knowledge and method to verify the wall thickness.Press the walls with your hands or try to prick in some sharp object through the walls. If it pierces easily, then you are rest assured the quality has been compromised.Tap the walls with your knuckles and try to hear any hollow sound, which indicates low wall quality

Important For Wall Quality : Why Hollow Bricks Give You Better Value For Money Than Solid Bricks?

How to check the robustness of the foundation of a building?

1. Scrutinize The Soil Quality – The foundation robustness of a building depends on the soil. Normally builders and engineers conduct a soil test before initiating the construction. Demand a copy of the soil test to check the quality and verify from an architect.

How to verify a property before investing in it?

4. Assess The Plaster Quality – Assessing the plaster quality is another important step to verify before investing in a property. Cracks on the plaster indicate water leakage and poor plaster quality. You must never permit the builder to paint the house or even employ anyone to do so before checking for the cracks.