1. Inspect the Topography of the Area

The topography of the area determines the construction quality of the house. If the area has a bad topography there is a possibility of either flooding or erosion, which will turn destroy all you have built, bought, and invested. Some home buyers purchase their properties during the dry season, after buying, during the rainy season they realize they cannot build or live there because of the flood. So if you want good construction quality, ensure you check the topography of the area of the house or home you are buying. Topography also determines the alignment and position of your foundation and entire building. For good construction quality of a house, go for a good topography

2. Conduct soil analysis and determine the soil type

To checkout and inspect the construction quality of a house, it is advised you do soil analysis and determine the soil type in that area. Soil type varies from one location to another. A good step for a proper home quality inspection is to check the characteristics of the ground soil of that area on which the structure is built. The type of soil is a crucial aspect to consider as it determines the strength of the foundation of the building which in turn impacts greatly on the general strength of the house. Some soil types will not be able to support a high-rise building. If the soil is not stable, the foundation of the building can be affected or even collapse.

Construction experts, engineers and builders will often add sand to the foundation soil and to enhance the stability. Clay rich soil and black cotton are not recommended as they have very low bearing capacity and high swelling & shrinkage characteristics. Sandy soil, Loamy soil, Chalky soil, etc. are good options for construction as they allow water to drain away from the site and at the same time will remain firm. It is advised to engage a geologist or geotechnical expert to get soil tests done.

3. Check the structural design

So many buildings have collapsed after construction as a result of poor and bad structural design. Frankly speaking, it’s so bad that most builders go into construction without a design. So to avoid the consequences of the negative impact its very necessary when checking the construction quality of a house to the structural design of the building. The structural design of a building is a key aspect to consider while inspecting a house. The structure which includes the wall, beams, columns and roof determines the stability and strength of a building. The design should be in such a way that it ensures maximum safety and rigidity to the building.

Check if the building is constructed to withstand heavy loads and impact such as earthquakes of a certain magnitude and other common environmental disasters. As a property and home buyer, you may not be qualified enough to verify the structural quality of a building. It is better to consult a qualified, certified and experienced structural engineer or construction engineer to assess, inspect and evaluate the quality of the building structure.

4. Check the thickness of wall

In order to determine the construction quality of a house, you have to check the thickness of the walls. The thickness also determines the strength of the house structure. The thickness or width of the house walls must match with the measurements given in your house property’s legal documents. Do a regular visit to the construction site and inspect the walls physically with the help of a trusted and experienced engineer. You can also check the quality by pressing against the wall or trying to insert a sharp object such as a key.

In a situation where the walls are not thick and rigid, then this will create a hole or crack. You can also tap against the wall using your knuckles to see if it is solid or hollow inside. If the wall develops any cracks easily or seems to be fragile then it means that the builder has not complied with good quality standards.

5. Check the quality of the plastering

To check the construction quality of a house, you have to examine the quality of the plastering works done. The plastering has a direct impact on the look and contributes to the strength of the walls. While inspecting a home, you must check if there are any small cracks on wall plastering. This is one of the aspects that usually all home buyers tend to overlook. Most houses may have cracks in the corners or lower portion of the walls which may be hidden under a coat of paint. This aspect is especially important if you are buying an aged property.

Seeing wall cracks may be an indication of poor quality plastering or even water leakage. Most builders try to deceive the buyers by using poor quality materials to construct a house or apartment. So as a home buyer, you should not get duped by such offerings. Choose to buy property from a reliable builder with a good reputation as they will always use the best quality materials for construction. Also engage experienced and certified engineers to check out these defects for you.

6. Check the quality of the fitting & fixtures

Fitting and fixtures of a house determines how much you enjoy your stay in a newly built or bought building. And also tells if the construction of the house is of good quality or not. Property Home buyers should pay attention to the minute details while inspecting the construction quality of a home. Fittings and fixtures of a new home determine the level of comfort of the residents. So while you are at the house, go around and check if all switches and electric accessories used are of good quality and ensure smooth functioning. Also check if the kitchen and bathroom fittings such as taps, shower-heads, washbasin, drainage pipes, etc. are in good condition.

Bad mechanical work done in a building can lead to the weakening of the strength of the structure and gradually lead to the collapse if not noticed earlier and maintained. The buyer or owner must inform the builder if you notice any kind of water leakage or other damages. Another important factor that you must check is the proper placement of doors and window panes. All joints must be fixed and lubricated well to avoid creaking noises while opening. The service of an experienced professional is needed for this check to avoid mistakes and regrets.

7. Inspect and check the quality of the concrete

Poor concrete mixture leads to the failure of any rigid concrete structure. As such adequate attention should be given to ensure that there is no bad mixture in the course of the construction works. Many buildings have failed and collapsed during the service stage because of negligence and bad practice by the engineer or builder. They give no attention to the mixture, some even intentionally tamper with the mixture just to save cost.

It is worthy to note that the strength of the concrete mixture used in a construction determines the load-bearing capacity of the structure. Nowadays ready-mix concrete with optimum concrete-sand ratio is available in the market. Responsible builders will ensure that they use the best quality concrete mixture for building homes. You can check the quality of concrete used for construction by driving a nail into the wall. If the nail gets inserted easily without any effort, then it means that the concrete quality is not up to the mark.

We trust that you find our guide and recommendation on how to Checkout and Inspect the Construction Quality of a House useful. This information will help you make a good and best decision while building and buying a house.

You know it is your responsibility to choose a qualified, certified and experienced builder in your location. Choose wisely and start searching for that desired dream home. We wish you success.