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The most challenging phase in dream home construction of a middle class person is none other than choosing right contractor/Engineer. The rich ones do not worry much as they most often rely on the best available architects and their business contacts. Finding a right person or company in this unorganized sector has to be eased in future. Most of the contractors speak in abstract way and intentionally avoid sharing all the details. One cannot blame them completely as the business demands them to do so. Only thing one can do is prepare himself well for this phase in terms of building construction knowledge. Ask right and relevant questions to contractors. There are contractors who get annoyed or uncomfortable when questions asked. Some talk very abstract, some ignore, some even put forth counter questions to act smart. This Q&A phase well serves as filtering phase to filter out unprofessional contractors, though it is not foolproof.

In accordance with this, I have compiled set of questions that could help people to analyse the contractor from different angles. There are informative resources over net and of course in this site itself that could be used as reference for these questions. Hope this helps someone.

Core Construction:
Is Cement block/brick local made or any branded one? Is it comes with load tested?
What is the length of the ceiling?
Is Antitermite solution provided is herbal and environment friendly?
What size column you provide? How many rods will be used of what thickness?
What is plastering mix ratio?
What is the plinth height from the current road level?

Flooring
Does the quoted material is after discount or before discount (Some contractors mentions before discount value and while purchasing change their statement For ex: Quoted price for tiles was 60 Rs/sqft but that comes with clause somewhere that they get that for 50 Rs after discount). Also some might quote including transport cost.
Is skirting provided?

Painting
How many coats of putty for internal walls and ceiling? What primer and putty to be used? How many color to choose from?

Bath rooms/toilets
Slabs for Bathrooms/toilets, Pooja is included?
Does sunken slabs provided in first floor bathrooms?
Bathroom accessories list, make, price?
Would you be providing any partition from non wet and wet area in the bath room?
What gauge pipes to be used? What is main line size? How many lines and which model?

Electrical
How many points and how much extra for each point?

Compound
For compound wall construction, what kind of foundation and pillars are used?

Sump
Is it a RCC or brick made sump? Does mesh provided for brick made?
Does sump cost involves MS cover, required valves, piping, waterproof painting?

Doors/Windows
What kind of door polish is provided?
Bathroom doors - Would this be water proof flush doors?
What is the size of doors provided?
Would there be limitation on number of windows and size of windows?
Price for security doors?
Glass type and thickness?
In case of UPVC, casement or sliding one? is it LEED certified?

Staircase
Is the staircase railing provided SS or MS? What grade and design?
What type of staircase? How much extra for folded type?
Same kind of tiles for both risers and treads?

Miscellaneous
What is the scope of RWH work? (Some provides tank and go until 20 feet depth and some only upto 10 feet.)
What is the length of the Parapet wall?
Do you provide safety grills to Kitchen utility?
What gauge pipes to be used? What is main line size? How many lines and which model?
Kitchen sink: What material?
Do I have to select material only in your selected outlets? What if I find some good materials somewhere else?
Drain covers are included or excluded?
What is the charges for chappadi stones to cover the gutter in front of House?
Charges for copper gas line connection providing?
Is water meter chamber cover provided?
Charges for cementing external areas?

Experts and experienced ones, please contribute to this list and provide your feedback.

@mddilip,

Your list of Qs seems pretty exhaustive. I didn't think upto this level when I started off and got cheated by first contractor. I changed contractor and now I am seeing much better quality work done.

In my experience item rate contract works best because rate is quoted for each piece of the work and billed as per the measurement of work done on site.

I have done the following:
1. Specify the brands and agree upon them upfront. For sand/stone... there is not brand but agree upon which sand to be used - Trichy, Kollegala...
2. Agree on how the cost would increase if there is change in basic material price. We set +/-5% to be absorbed by contractor and beyond that I would have to pay. I paid almost 15% more for concreting during 3rd roof as cement price went up from 300 (during 2nd roof) to 360-365. Even Kollegala sand was stopped and contractor had to go for slightly expensive Trichy sand.
3. (If possible) Check quality of materials/work with independent structural/civil consultant

Eventually, we have to understand that if we can't spend adequate time on site with labour, a contractor is needed. Also, if we try to squeeze them to the last drop, they will agree to lower price but will do some cheating on our back to extract the profit. So don't necessarily go with one who provides you lowest quote.

There is a lot of information on this site and wonderful set of people who can help out when it comes to comparing price esp. on finishing items. Make use of it.

Ask them if they will provide proper covering for steel rods in roof
Ask them if they use vibrator for colums
Ask them if they do proper curing

WIll rings used in beam will be at proper distance as per drawings

Ask then have roof level shutering at tube level .


I suggest tell them upfront we will get the strength of RCC structure tested using hammer test
regards
Nitin

Hi,

Great thread, definately the Owners will atleast look into this points and can understand the Quotes properly & should ask back to them in the Initial stages.

Agree with Girish regarding the squeezing the Rates below their quotes, They will surely screw us in terms of Quality if their Profit goes below.

Sometimes it is better to go with Item Contract as we can adjust our range with respect to Contractor Quote. If we can afford the Good Brand we can just pay additional amount and get the Branded one to our satisfaction.

But the Points like Additional points for Electrical, Additional Paint charges, Additional Plumbings, or any additional work needs to be discussed well in advance so that contractor should not extra margin just it is required during the Finishing stages.

Members should get minimum 3-4 Quotes to start any construction, they should take time to compare the Rates & Items mentioned can be reviewed and can select the reliable Contractor.