It’s the duty of a buyer to ensure the quality of construction of properties which available in the market at interesting offers. In this era, real estate developers are competing in the market to offer multiple residential units at cheaper prices. It’s important for the buyer to ensure the quality of the construction. Ways to Check Construction Quality If you’re a buyer and planning to invest in a construction project, checking and measuring the quality of the construction is very important. When investing in such a property, it is advisable to make a check on the construction quality.
1. Investigate the soil
The quality and type of soil used for the construction are very crucial. The type of soil determines whether it can bear the foundation for a huge building. Clay-rich soil and black cotton soil are examples of some forms of soils which are not used for construction as they expand, swell and shrink depending upon moisture. A soil test should be conducted before the construction process begins.
2. Determine the structure
It may be difficult for buyer to rightly understand the structural design of the building. Seek the help of an expert to examine the design by the architect. It is important to assess the property thoroughly for the strength to resist the earthquake of a certain magnitude
3. Check the concrete mix
The strength of concrete determines the load a structure that can carry. Usually, builders monitor the quality and strength of the concrete, but 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.
4. Inspect the wall thickness
Take a tour to the construction site to check if builder has actually put width of walls mentioned in the layouts. During the check, use any pen and try to press against the wall. If you can easily make a hole with it, it is sure that the builder has used low-quality material. Also, tap with your knuckles to hear the kind of sound it makes to check the hollowness of the wall.
5. Ensure safety features
Check the safety measures taken by the builder for earthquake resistance, emergency evacuation or fire exit. Check the size and space of the stairway, that should be wide enough for two people to run alongside.
6. Look for paint and plastering quality
Check the plastering on the outer walls. Cracks on the wall plastering is an indicator that the foundation or the quality of the building construction is not good. Quality paint on the walls intensify the look and improves life of the walls and wooden spaces.
7. Examine the elevators
There have been several cases where elevators have fallen in buildings, due to poor maintenance or improper installation. Check the licence and maintenance of elevator as taken by the builder. Generally, three elevators and one service lift are ideal for a single tower in a residential project. Do check for its capacity, especially in case of high-rises as it should be able to accommodate more people in a single trip.