DIFFERENT STAGES OF HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA

If you want to make sure you are in sync with the construction process, it is important to understand the various stages of home construction from excavation to completion. Here we look at 12 stages of home construction in India - from the beginning of home construction to the time you receive the keys for your new home.

1) Site Preparation: Construction of the house begins with site preparation and clearing. You may also need to do some levelling during this time if necessary. Once the site is clear, level and ready, you and the builder will lay out the floor plan for the site. This is the first time you've actually experienced a floor plan in reality rather than on paper - it's a really wonderful moment!

2) Floor Slab: The next step in the construction of the house is to install the

main concrete floor slab. The foundation will be excavated, sealed and
plumbing laid on any "slab" according to the specifications of your
structural engineers. The main concrete floor slab is poured after the
foundation and plumbing are prepared.

3) Framing-Walls & Roof Structure: Work on the main structure of the
house begins after the formation of the slabs, one of the most exciting
stages in the construction of the house. There are many construction
methods available in India and this step varies slightly depending on the
specific method of building your house: wood, brick, concrete, steel etc.
Although the basic principle for this step is the same - you will see the
walls that rise from the slabs of your house first appear before your eyes.

4) Roofing: The roof will be installed and waterproofed after the
construction of the walls and roof structure is completed.

5) External Finishes: Depending on how you build your home, exterior
walls can now be finished. If your home has a concrete wall structure such
as block, brick or concrete it will usually include painting and painting for
the exterior walls. If you have a lightweight frame structure such as wood
or steel, this may include covering and insulating the structure with a
material of your choice, such as wood panels.

6) Doors and Windows: Now that the massive site work is done, it is safe to
install windows and exterior doors. It makes the building completely
waterproof and protects it from elements that allow builders to begin
construction on building interiors such as electrical work, plumbing and
finishing.

7) Rough-Ins: Electricians and plumbers lay the necessary electrical wires
and pipes. This stage of house construction is called "roughing in" because
they do not connect cables or pipes to direct sources until the construction
process is complete. But for the time being they send cables and pipes out
of the walls, ready to be finished after the process.

8) Internal Finishes: Now that the cables and pipes have been installed,
work begins on the structural interior walls, interior wall finishes and floor
finishes. This includes plastering, painting, tiling and installation of the
finished floor.

9) Carpentry: At this stage of the house construction the carpenter will work on the installation of any built-in furniture such as kitchen cabinets and bedroom closets. At this point skirting boards and elements like door and window trim are also added.

10) Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment: This is the last major step in the
construction of the house. Your electrician will come back and install the lights, switches and power outlets of your choice and stream the system live. Your plumber will come back and install any taps, sinks, toilets, showers and other wet systems. Finally you will receive delivery of other large appliances such as fridge, cooker and washing machine to be installed by your builder.

11) Practical Completion: We are now in the "Practical Completion"
stage, where your home must be completed. You will visit the property with the builder and perform a final inspection to make sure everything is built as agreed and the builder completes the work as agreed in the construction contract. This is your last chance to discuss any issues and resolve them through the builder.

12) Handover: This is the moment you have been waiting for!
Construction of the house takes a long time to begin. The builder will hand over the keys to your new home after you have resolved the issues raised during the "Practical Closing" tour.