How to go ahead with house construction while maintaining the cost

[ecis2016.org] Know average cost of house construction in India and how to minimise it without compromising on quality

In a country like India where home buyers are more attracted to the apartment-culture, there are still a few people who prefer to get their own home constructed, provided finances are available and the procedure is clear. The entire process of constructing a home involves many formalities, legalities and dealing with many stakeholders which includes government people for approvals, contractors who will oversee and manage the labourers, interior decorators, architects and so on, depending upon how elaborate you want your structure to be. This also affects the cost of construction, depending upon the location, material used and other factors.

You are reading: How to go ahead with house construction while maintaining the cost

ecis2016.org News explains the nitty-gritty of house construction, cost involved in various things and things you should know about it.

Estimating the cost of house construction

Is it a new construction or additional construction?

Constructing a new house versus a new addition in an existing home can both be equally costly, as it depends on the quantum of construction you want. For a new construction on land, foundation laying will be an additional cost, while if you are adding to an old construction, the expenses would depend on the area that you want to acquire for construction. You also have to evaluate if your existing structure would be able to take the load of the additional concrete, bricks and other materials. Most people add floors to the structure. For this, you will have to check the structural strength of the building.

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What will be the floor type, style, interiors and furnishings?

If you have decided the type of construction you have to proceed with, determine the type of flooring, furnishing and interior style you want to have inside the newly-constructed space. This is one of the biggest expenses when constructing a new home. You have to understand the nuances of these furnishing materials that will also decide the durability of your home and your budget. You can choose between tiles, granite and marble for flooring-whichever suits your budget. However, keep in mind the maintenance you have to ensure, so that they last long.

What type of construction material you are planning to use?

The quality of your construction material is of paramount importance but there are so many choices available that you can choose without stretching your budget. Be it wall paint, appliances, door and window frames, the market is flooded with some great quality and designs. You can do your market research by visiting some nearby wholesale market. You can get quotes and decide where you want to spend the most and where you can cut down the expenses, to invest in other quality things.

Is land already available?

If this is a new construction, you have to acquire a land and this has to be included in the total cost of construction. Also remember, land will be the major cost component in your total budget. If you are adding to the existing structure, you may or may not need to acquire additional area, for supporting the structure. If you are planning to make additions in the ground floor, the additional land acquired will have to be added to the total expenses.

How to proceed with the house construction?

Once you have figured out the total cost of construction and finalised the budget, it is time for you to start the actual process. The entire process is divided into three stages- Consultation, Construction and Finishing. Here’s how to go about it:

Stage 1: Consultation

Step 1: Get in touch with an architect

Once you have finalised your budget, you should reach out to your architect. You can look for government-approved architects, who can suggest designs keeping in mind the bye-laws and guidelines as suggested by the local authority. Follow these tips when dealing with the architect:

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a) Always note down your requirements and ideas that you would want to discuss with the architect, before the meeting.

b) Have multiple meetings with the architects. Ask for their advice and their previous work. You can get inspiration from their past work experience that you can include in your design.

c) Do not interfere with their process. You can certainly share what you don’t feel comfortable with but do not question their knowledge.

Step 2: Hire an interior decorator

Once your floor plan gets approved, look for an interior decorator/designer. Usually, architects have a team of interior designers, who can help you with their ideas. You can also look for other freelance individuals who might have newer ideas. However, do check their previous work and past experiences. Opting for a fresher might not be a great idea. They usually charge on per sq ft basis or one-time consultation charges which could cost you up to Rs 50,000, depending upon the size of home.

Step 3: Get the layout approval from the local municipal corporation

Once your floor plans are ready, the next step is to get the layouts approved from the concerned authorities. You have to get the map approved again which includes the marginal cost that should be included in your construction budget. While most of the approvals are now being provided online by the authorities in metro cities, tier II and tier III cities still have to get manual approvals from the officers in the corporation office. The approval cost may range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakhs. Also, layout approval is required only when you are making any structural changes in the building or adding another floor in your building.

Stage 2: Construction

Once your map is approved, you have to start the actual construction as soon as possible. You have three options to go ahead with the construction process. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. You can choose whichever suits you the most.

a) Hire a builder: You can hire a professional builder but this is viable only if you are constructing your house from scratch or redeveloping your existing house. This can cost you more as compared to the other two options but will cause minimal hassles for you, as proper agreements and clauses are signed before the construction is started. You can hold the builder accountable, if your construction is delayed. However, the construction quality is not always optimum as the builder tends to make maximum profit by cutting down the quality of material used.

b) Hire contractors: You can hire a contractor who can hire the construction workforce and can get your work done on time. You can choose to hire different contractors for everything, to keep multiple work going at the same time. For instance, there could be different contractors for plumbing, for wiring, for painting and for actual construction. Here, you have to provide the construction material and keep a check on the list of things required. This can be a bit of a hassle for you as you have to visit the site very often to provide construction material on time.

c) Hire the labourers directly: This is the most difficult and less opted option, as it involves a lot of negotiation with the labourers who are often difficult to hire. Usually the workforce charges on shift basis but it will be difficult for you to keep stock of their time and the total work done. If you have past experience of handling the entire construction work, you can think of getting the work done as per your requirement. The only benefit is that your construction will be of optimum quality, if you keep a close eye on it.

Stage 3: Finishing and interiors

Depending on the quantum, the construction work can take up to 10-12 months. Once it is in the final stages, you might want to pick up other important things which includes the following things:

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Step 1: Install interior furnishings

Wall painting, plumbing and wiring work can begin as the construction work reaches the last phase. As mentioned above, you can hire different contractors for each of them so that almost the entire work is finished side by side. Be it bathroom wares or the kitchen chimney, this is the time to finalise every tiny thing that has to be installed.

Step 2: Install wooden furniture

Hire a carpenter if you want wooden work in your home. You can also get custom doors and windows made, instead of buying a branded one. If you are planning to buy ready-made furniture, this is the time to start shortlisting the design and getting it delivered on time. Some of the furniture that you can get made at home include the bed, study table, dressing table, wooden wardrobes, bookshelf, TV panel, side tables, etc.

Step 3: Finishing touch

As your house construction enters the finishing phase, make sure you check the switchboards, wiring, drainage, pipe leakage, water taps, door lock, window panes, bed edges, lighting, wardrobe doors, hooks, latches etc.

How to cut down house construction costs?

1. Sourcing construction material directly from the wholesaler

You can order the construction material like concrete, bricks, beams and columns directly from the maker or wholesaler. You can save a lot, if you avoid dealing with the retailer or rely on a contractor for sourcing the material.

2. Doing thorough research before heading into it

Experts always suggest that one should research as much as you can, before heading into the process. Talk to someone who recently got the construction done and understand how the process can be mentally exhausting. Visit local markets and wholesalers, to know the different quality grades available and which one will suit your budget. You can also negotiate directly and save on wholesale orders.

3. Prefer contractors on contractual basis instead of daily wages

Most of the people make this mistake. If you are hiring a contractor, make sure you bring him on contract basis, instead of daily wages. You can pay the total amount in small parts so that the workforce employed are paid on time.

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