Marking/ Layout

a.      Identifying the permanent benchmarks and reference base line.

b.      Establishment of main Grid lines in both directions as per the drawings

c.      Layout Alignment & Size of excavation marked on the ground as per drawing

Excavation

a.      Is the area to be EXCAVATED is cleared of all obstructions?

b.      Check if the LAYOUT, ALIGNMENT & SIZE of excavation marked on the ground is as per the plan?

c.      Are there adequate WORKING SPACES provided all around?

d.      Are the FOUNDING STRATA suitable for laying PPC?

e.      Are the FOUNDING STRATA being free from all the soft pockets? If not, remove and fill with lean concrete/sand

f.       Check if the DRESSING of the excavated area is good?

g.      Check if the STABILITY of side slopes acceptable?

h.      Is the DEWATERING of the waterlogged area done?

i.        Check if the excavated soil is disposed to the specific area?

j.        Have the BARRICADING & CAUTION SIGNS been provided for deep excavations?

Backfilling

a.      Quality approved soil to be used for backfilling, black cotton soil should not be used for back filling.

b.      Back filling to be done in Layers not more than 30cm at once.

c.      Back filled area to be watered sufficiently and compaction to been done.

d.      Disposal of surplus soil from the worksite to be completed.

PCC

a.      Complete Preceding activities for the area before PCC.

b.      Check mix proportion of concrete as per specification

c.      Placement and compaction to be done properly

d.      Surface to be well finished

a.      Curing to be done properly

Shuttering

a.      Is the CLEANLINESS of forms acceptable?

b.      Check for assembly of scaffolds & shutters w.r.t. SHUTTERING SCHEMES?

c.      Check for RIGIDITY and safety of the assembled forms

d.      Check for CONFORMANCE of the assembled forms according to the DIMENSIONS, SHAPES, LINES & GRADE in the drawings?

e.      Check for SEALING OF JOINTS & HOLES in shutter forms

f.       Check for READINESS of shutter forms for release to fix reinforcement

g.      Check for removal of shutter forms & scaffolds after SPECIFIED DURATION

h.      Check for CLEANING of scaffolds & shutters (post-removal)

i.        Check for PROPER STACKING of scaffolds & shutters (post-removal)

Reinforcement

b.      Is the CUTTING & BENDING OF BARS as per the code (BBS)?

c.      Check for CLEANLINESS of bars.

d.      Is the FIXING OF BARS correct as per construction drawings?

e.      Is the TYING OF REINFORCEMENT with BINDING WIRE satisfactory?

f.       Check for LOCATION of service conduits

j.        Check for READINESS of reinforcement to release for concreting

Before Concreting

a.      Cleanliness of the area before concreting

b.      Check Formwork & Reinforcement as per structure design

c.      Check for cover block, sufficient gap should be provided between form work & reinforcement.

d.      Other preceding activities such as fixing of insets, embedment’s & service conduits etc should be completed

e.      Support to forms & rigidity of the assembly should be acceptable

f.       Access platforms & walkways to be done properly

g.      Check for the provision and working condition of concrete Aids

h.      Check, Sequence has been explained to & understood by the concreting group

i.        Check for the readiness of concrete & finishing group

j.        Explain required concrete mix ratio to Concreting group

During Concreting

a.      Slump of the concrete to be poured correctly.

b.      Continues flow of concrete to be ensured.

c.      Check if the pouring height of concrete is acceptable

d.      Proper vibration to be done in the concrete to fit tightly against al the surfaces, reinforcements and embedment’s?

e.      Check for the correct use of Plants & Machinery by the labours

f.       Check if the concrete is being poured with an initial setting time of cement

g.      Check for the provision of construction joints, wherever necessary

h.      Levelling & finishing of the exposed concrete surface for the planar structures like slabs & pavements should be done.

After Concreting

a.      Suitable curing arrangements should be done.

b.      Adequate amount of curing to be ensure for the specified period (Minimum 7 days)

c.      Check for the inserts and embedment’s exposure that are flush with concrete surface

d.      Check if there is a clear marking of location for service conduits & fittings wherever applicable.

e.      Corrective actions to be taken for the surface defects on exposed concrete

f.       Check for the removal of Forms and its cleaning done properly.

 Brickwork Masonry

a.      Is there AVAILABILITY of BRICKS as per daily requirements?

b.      Is the work area CLEANED off of the loose mortar, concrete, debris, etc on the end of each day?

c.      Is the ALIGNMENT & LOCATION of masonry as specified?

d.      Is the SUITABILITY & SAFETY of scaffolding acceptable?

e.      Check for wetting of BRICKS before using it

f.       Check if the MORTAR MIX PROPORTION & JOINT THICKNESS are as specified.

g.      Are the bricks being laid up with their FROGS UP?

h.      Are the dimensions, plumb level & right angles are as specified?

i.        Check if there is a proper BOND between old & new masonry.

j.        Is the staggering of vertical joints being ensured?

k.      Check for the sizes of door & window openings as per the drawings.

l.        Check for CLEANING & RAKING of joints

m.    Check if the CURING for old masonry is done sufficiently.

n.      Check for removal of DEBRIS.

Electrical

a.      Is the FFL given from the PROJECT'S TEAM correct & verified?

b.      IS BUTTON MARK LEVEL on the wall for plastering, correct?

c.      Have the electrical BOXES been fixed according to the button mark?

d.      Are all the FIXED BOXES in one level?

e.      Check if the SPACING between the adjacent BOXES is correct?

f.       Are the required TOOLS for CHIPPING available?

g.      Has the RIGHT-ANGLED CHIPPING been ensured at the corner of the chipped area?

h.      Have the CONDUITS been inserted into the box?

i.        Is the PROPER SIZED BOX fixed?

j.        Check for completion of PROPER CURING for all the places where chasing/chipping has been done.

k.      Are the chasing/chipping places have been filled with CONCRETE/CEMENT MORTAR?

Plumbing

a.      Are the latest drawings for the activity available?

b.      Are all the REQUIRED TOOLS available?

c.      Has the necessary CLEARANCE from CIVIL EXECUTION TEAM been given to start the plumbing work?

d.      Has the CUTOUT for plumbing been provided as per the approved drawings?

e.      Has the BLOCK WORK PLASTERING & WATERPROOFING has been completed?

f.       Has the MARKING of INTERNAL PLUMBING LINES on the walls been done accurately according to the meter marking?

g.      Have the THREADED JOINTS been properly covered with Teflon tape?

h.      Has the CONCRETE PACKING been done properly wherever required?

i.        Have the OUTLET LEVELS been levelled properly using spirit level?

j.        Check if the height of PLUMBING FIXTURES as per drawings?

k.      Is the PROPER CURING for the concrete that has been done?

l.        Check if PROPER SLOPE is being maintained for sewage and wastewater lines as specified?

m.    Are the SHAFTS for TOILETS, fixing of CLAMS using ANCHOR BOLTS for holding pipes in place been fixed away from the bore packing area?

n.      IS PROPER SLOPE being maintained for the same as prescribed in the drawings?

o.      Check for the SOIL LINES connection to the inspection chambers at the ground level or at the basement

p.      Check if the WASTEWATER LINES are connected to the gully traps at the ground level or at the basement and then connected to the inspection chambers

q.      Check if all the TRAPS are sealed with a gunny bag & a layer of PLASTER OF PARIS at the top to minimum the choke up problem

Plastering

a.      Are the PRECEDING ACTIVITIES like fixing of service conduits, water supply & sanitation lines done properly?

b.      Check for RAKING of MASONRY JOINTS & HACKING on RCC surfaces

c.      Check for CLEANING & WASHING of masonry & RCC surfaces

d.      Check for SUITABILITY & SAFETY of scaffolding

e.      Check for REMOVAL of mould-releasing agent stains from the exposed concrete surfaces

f.       Check if there is enough cement & fine aggregate required for plastering

g.      Check for PROPER MIXING of MORTAR

h.      Check for MORTAR MIX PROPORTION

i.        Check for ADDITION of WATERPROOFING COMPOUND, if specified

j.        Check for completion of CEILING PLASTER prior to plastering

k.      Did the PLASTERING start from the top and worked its way downwards to the floor?

l.        Check for THICKNESS & NUMBER OF COATS of plaster done.

m.    Check for true level surface, right angles & plumb

n.      Is the MORTAR being consumed within the initial setting time of cement?

o.      Check for STRAIGHT EDGES, SHARP CORNERS & SMOOTH FINISH

p.      Check for ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES such as grooves, bands, etc

q.      Check for TRUE LEVEL SURFACE & SMOOTHNESS of plaster

r.       Check for REMOVAL of dead mortar & debris

s.      Check for SEALING OF OPENINGS in masonry for scaffolds

t.       Is the DATE OF PLASTERING marked on the plastered walls?

u.      Check if the CURING ARRANGEMENTS are done properly?

v.      Check if the curing is done for the SPECIFIED DURATION.

Tiling

a.      Check for CLEANLINESS of base surface before the tiling work is done. Has the loose mortar & debris b removed from the work area?

b.      Have the preceding activities like fixing of doors, partitions, false ceiling, etc have been COMPLETED properly?

c.      Check if the PROVISION of service conduits, junction boxes, etc are done as specified.

d.      Is the APPROVED PATTERN of LAYING available for reference?

e.      Are SLOPES for the tiled surface finalized?

f.       Check for availability of TILES & other construction aids before the work starts.

g.      Is the MORTAR MIXING PROPORTION done as specified?

h.      Check if the THICKNESS OF MORTAR BED acceptable?

i.        Check for PATTERN of LAYING

j.        Check for the THICKNESS of JOINTS between tiles

k.      Check for TILING around doors, sanitary fittings, columns, partitions, etc

l.        Check the FINISHING of EDGES for cut tiles

m.    Check for the ADDITION of PIGMENT to cement, if required

n.      Check if the CURING OF TILING is done for a specified period

o.      Check for CLEANING of tile surface

p.      Check for GRINDING & POLISHING

q.      Final check for TRUE LEVEL SURFACE, PATTERN, SURFACE FINISHES, SLOPE, etc

r.       Has the coloured cement been used to fill the joints between tiles properly?

Doors & Windows

a.      Check for plumb for the door frame w.r.t. MASONRY OPENING.

b.      Check for plumb for the door w.r.t. MASONRY PLUMB.

c.      Check for PLASTERING of WINDOW FRAMES to walls by screws

d.      Check for DIMENSIONS OF JAMBS & REVEALS

e.      Final check for PAINT, SURFACE FINISHES & GLAZING

f.       Check for REMOVAL of protective coating & cleaning of the aluminium door before handover

Painting

a.      Are the MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS for painting available for reference?

b.      Check for AVAILABILITY of APPROVED SHADE DETAILS

c.      Check for the cleanliness of WALL & CEILING.

d.      Check if the wall and ceiling are free from dead mortar, dirt, dust, algae, grease, etc?

e.      Check for FILLING OF PITS or UNDULATIONS in the PLASTER

f.       Check for SUITABILITY & SAFETY of scaffolding

g.      Is the SCAFFOLDING erected away from the surface to protect the surface from being painted?

h.      Check for the AVAILABILITY of a sufficient number of plastic emulsion containers

i.        Check for availability of PAINTING GROUPS

j.        Check if the PRIMER APPLICATION is done as specified.

k.      Is the PROPORTION of PAINT & WATER MIX as per manufacturer's specifications?

l.        Check for the CONSISTENCY of PAINT

m.    Check for UNIFORM APPLICATION of PAINT

n.      Check the NUMBER OF COATS OF PAINTING DONE.

o.      Check the INTERVAL TIME between two coats.

p.      Check for REMOVAL of scaffolds, cleaning, and proper stacking.

What is an Affordable/Low-Cost House?

An affordable or low-cost house is a home built with the minimum expenses possible while still meeting all essential needs. These homes typically incorporate cost-effective materials, efficient design, and simple construction techniques to reduce overall costs. They focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and the optimal use of space, ensuring long-term savings for homeowners. Building a low-cost house mainly depends on three factors: design, materials, and labor costs.

1. Smart Design: The Key to Cost Savings

A significant portion of the overall construction cost can be minimized through smart and efficient design. The simpler and smaller the area, the less money it will require. While designing, focus on your essential needs, not on desires. Avoid unnecessary areas in the plan like passages, corridors, entrance foyers, dressing rooms, swimming pools, or dedicated TV rooms. Also, avoid adding false ceilings, as lighting and wiring costs can significantly increase the budget. Include only the necessary number of switchboards in the layout to keep expenses in check.

Plan Multi-Functional Spaces: 

Design areas that can serve multiple purposes. For example, a single hall can act as a guest sitting area, dining space, and a living room for watching TV. If space is limited, consider open floor planning where common areas like the kitchen and hall do not have walls or doors separating them. Opt for a common bathroom instead of attaching separate toilets to each bedroom. These strategies will help reduce the total area of the house, directly cutting down on construction costs.

Use Multi-Purpose Furniture: 

Choose furniture that can serve more than one purpose, like a sofa that can be converted into a bed when needed. Opt for compact storage solutions such as closets and modular kitchens to maximize space.

A low-cost house should not only be affordable to build but also economical to maintain. Include windows of adequate size in every room to minimize the use of artificial lighting during the day. Add a garden area to grow plants and vegetables; the shade from trees will help keep the house cool. Installing solar panels can further contribute to long-term savings by reducing electricity costs.

RSDC Buildcon offers house design services at affordable rates, including specialized low-cost house designs. If you need a house design that meets your budget, call us at 8234030892 or visit our website at rsdcbuildcon.com

2. Selecting the Right Materials

Use materials that are easily accessible in your area. Locally sourced materials tend to be more affordable since transportation costs are lower. In most cities, fly ash bricks (also known as black bricks) are inexpensive and readily available. Choose rods and cement from companies that offer lower prices; you can reserve top-quality cement for crucial parts like the roofing.

When it comes to finishing items such as doors, windows, tiles, granite, railings, switchboards, MCBs, and sanitary fixtures, choose products from the medium price range. Whatever materials you select, ensure they are durable and require minimal maintenance. Avoid focusing solely on branded materials, as this can lead to higher upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses.

3. Managing Labor Costs Wisely

Labor costs can make or break your budget. Contractors often base their earnings on the speed of labor, with faster work yielding more profit. However, rushing the job can lead to poor craftsmanship. This is why it’s crucial not to cut corners when it comes to labor. Hire skilled workers known for delivering quality work, even if they are not the cheapest option. Poor-quality labor can result in substandard work and waste materials, leading to high maintenance costs down the road. A low-cost house can quickly turn into an expensive one if quality is compromised during construction.

Key Takeaways for Building a Low-Cost House

1. Design Smart: Start cost-saving at the design stage. Focus on essential areas and multi-purpose spaces, and minimize unnecessary features.

2. Choose Affordable Materials: Opt for locally available, durable materials that are cost-effective and require low maintenance.

3. Hire Quality Labor: Invest in skilled contractors to ensure quality work, which will save money in the long run by reducing potential repair and maintenance costs.

By keeping these points in mind, you can build an affordable house that not only saves money during construction but also ensures long-term sustainability and efficiency.