How To Construct A House In India: Any Owner Must Know The Step-By-Step Process Of House Construction Before Getting Their Own House Constructed

1. Land Title Certificate
2. Land Clearance Certificate
3. Zonal Clearance Certificate
4. Building Approval Certificate
5. Completion Certificate
6. Services and Utilities Installation Certificate
7. Occupancy Certificate

For each building to be constructed and completed, the owner must receive the above permits and sanctions from all relevant authorities.

Any building construction which is built without any approvals will invite penalties in the form of fines and even prosecution.

The House Construction Phase

Once you complete the beginning phase of the construction documentation, we will now take you through the step-by-step process of the house-building phase. There are 12 steps in this phase, we detail them for you below.

1. Site Clearance, Soil Testing, and Securing Your Materials

• The first step in the house construction process should be to remove unwanted objects like trees, plants, and debris from the site. They may obstruct the construction progress.
• To get the job done, you can contact professionals who operate bulldozers or lawnmowers.
• Soil investigation should be done by inspecting, testing, probing, and boring techniques.
• Test pits are dug to a depth that allows for visual inspection of the soil.
• Probing involves driving a steel bar into the ground until it reaches a hard surface.
• Boring involves drilling into the ground and collecting soil samples.
• A temporary tin shed room can be built on-site to protect your materials till the completion of the construction of the walls of the ground floor.

Image Credit: JB Construction

2. Provision of Electricity and Water Supply

• Sources of water and electricity must be provided in reasonable quantity in building construction. Without these essential utilities, home construction work would be severely hindered, and the workforce’s well-being could be compromised.

• The contractor must make all connections ready and provide necessary extensions, and he should be able to remove all connections and extensions after completion of the work while constructing a house.

3. Marking of Centerline and Site Excavation

• Marking the centerline accurately is important for maintaining proper alignment and dimensions throughout the construction of the building and following the exact dimensions that you got in your house plan design. It helps to avoid costly errors that come during different construction stages.
• Calling the expert with the required team for marking the centerline at the site is a good idea to proceed further without any stress.
• It serves as the reference point for the house construction process and also helps to maintain proper alignments on the site.
• The next step will be the excavation of the site before you start with the foundation work given in your house planning. Would you be appointing a professional for the centerline marking?

Image Credit: Kerala Home Designers

4. Laying the Foundation

• The construction of foundation is the base of the building where it is placed on the ground. In other words, it is the invisible structure of every building or house. If the foundation is weak, it cannot bare the weight of the house, leading to collapse.
• The process of laying a foundation involves several key steps, such as Site Preparation, Excavation, Footing, Formwork, Reinforcement, Customised concrete making on-site/ Ready Mixed Concrete pouring, Curing and Setting, Backfilling, Waterproofing, and Drainage.

5. Plumbing, Electrical, and Gas line

• While doing the construction of the foundation, you need to be ready with decisions with your society committee and your architect about where to take the main drainage line and gas pipeline.
• Your house construction contractor will need to dig and pull the required gas line, plumbing lines, and electrical lines as per the house plan design given by your architect and by following your society’s norms.

Image Credit: Pinterest

6. Plinth Beam and Slab

• It is a reinforced concrete beam that is placed on the ground level on the completion of the construction of the foundation. This beam is added to make it stronger and prevent damage like cracks. This also helps the foundation withstand earthquakes.
• The plinth beam and slab play an important role. The main functions of the plinth beam are load distribution, protection against dampness, and leveling the ground.
• Electrical conduit pipework needs to be added at the time of construction of the foundation before filling the reinforcement structure of the plinth beam.
• Same way, drain waste, and vent pipeline work are to be completed before filling the reinforcement of the plinth beam. This is to connect the plumbing supply line for the bathrooms and the septic tank.
• At the time of home construction, the septic tank with a depth of around 5 ft. to 8 ft. and underground water tank construction in RCC with a depth of 10 ft. to 15 ft. is to be completed with the level of the plinth beam slab.
• The plinth beam slab should be raised by a minimum of 3 ft. above the road level.

Image Credit: Structville

7. Superstructure – Construction of Columns

• The construction of columns is a critical phase in the house construction of the superstructure. Columns are vertical supporters which transfer the load coming from floors and roofs to the foundation.
• Column layout and positioning are done using the architectural house design plan, marking the locations of the columns on the foundation make it easy.
• Skilled labours are needed for the construction of columns.
• You should make your contractor aware that you want the equipment and tools the right ones to avoid flaws that come during the installation of the columns.

Image Credit: Quora

8. Preparation of All Floor Slabs and Roofing

• Slabs form the floors of buildings and provide a surface for various activities. Construction of the slab is essential for the structural integrity and durability of the building.
• The roofing slab is one of the important parts of the construction components. This requires waterproofing to prevent any leakage inside the house. After waterproofing work, tiling is to be done to bring safety that guards the slab as well as brings aesthetics to the house building.
• Using quality materials and the work of skilled labours during the preparation of the slab will be successfully constructed.
• Plumbing and electrical wiring also need to be done before the filling of the slab. These systems are important for providing water supply, drainage, electricity, and other utilities to the various parts of the structure.
• Once the plumbing and electrical work gets complete, you can start filling and leveling the slab above the construction of columns on the ground floor.
• You need to be cautious of following the above steps for the second slab as well if you have a ground plus two-storied system. Your house plan design will help you better to get you through the process.

Image Credit: Civil Engineering Forum

9. Brickwork, Chajjas, and Plastering for All Floors

• Brickwork provides structural support to the walls of the structures.
• How is brickwork typically installed in stages?

1. Surface Preparation
2. Mortar Preparation
3. Laying the first course
4. Checking for level and plumb
5. Adding Mortar Joints
6. Cutting Bricks
7. Curing and Protection
8. Pointing and Finishing

• Proper construction practices and using quality materials are essential for the durability and the finished brickwork. Skilled labours are required for placing bricks.
• Chajjas act as projecting eave or canopy-like structure that extends from the external wall of a house, providing shade and protection from rain and sun.
• Chajjas are particularly suited for Indian climates, they enhance the beauty of house elevation design by giving an aesthetic look. How chajjas and lintels will you add to your project?
• Plastering: The process of applying plaster on exterior walls of brickwork, this protects from weathering, moisture, and other environmental factors.
• The steps used for plastering are as below:

1. Surface Preparation: Before applying the plaster, the brickwork surface needs to be properly cleaned and prepared.
2. Application of Bonding Agent: To ensure a strong bond between the plaster and the brick surface, a bonding agent or primer is applied.
3. Mixing the Plaster: The plaster mix is prepared by mixing cement, sand, and water in the appropriate proportions.
4. Applying the Plaster: The plaster is applied to the brick surface using a trowel. It is spread evenly across the wall, starting from the bottom and working upwards.
5. Smoothing and leveling are carried forward with giving texture and designs, curing is done and lastly, the final finish is done.

Conclusion –

So, constructing a house is so much more than just buying a piece of land. So many ideas and hands come together in building one home.

Every stage of building construction, from the early planning to the complex foundation work every step requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Throughout this process, the collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and skilled labours is the key.

Even though the house construction process is over, the story of the house is just beginning, and it will become an integral part of your life for many years to come.

So, Alacritys would like to ask you –

• What will the size of your house be and what are your requirements?
• Will you be keeping your service drawings ready?
• Will you be making one shade room ready to secure your materials?
• How will you be taking electricity and water supply for your project?

FAQs

How much does constructing a house cost?

The cost of home construction depends on location, size, complexity of design, materials selection, and level of customization. It’s important to work with your architect to develop a detailed estimation and make sure it fits your financial budget.

What should be done before the construction of a foundation?

Before laying the foundation, you can get the anti-termite treatment to protect your house and keep it alive and strong in the long run.

Why it is important to get approval from the government?

Your house can only be built if planning permission has been obtained from your local authority. Any building construction that is built without any approvals is subject to penalties in the form of fines and even prosecution.

What are the steps used for plastering?

The steps involved in plastering include Surface Preparation, Application of Bonding Agent, Mixing the Plaster, Applying the Plaster, Smoothing, and levelling.