Field Notes

Home Builders

Budgets, checklists and material choices for building a home in India.

HOME BUILDERS4 MINBefore You Build: Soil Test, Anti-Termite Treatment and Site ChecksThe checks to finish before the first trench is dug: papers and approvals, levels, a soil test, and anti-termite treatment that can only be done during construction.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINCement for Your House: OPC 43, OPC 53 or PPC?What the types and grades mean, which one to use where, how to read a cement bag, and how to store cement so it doesn't lose strength.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINChoosing Bricks and Blocks: Red Clay, Fly Ash, AAC and Concrete BlocksHow the common wall materials compare, simple field tests for brick quality, and how to lay them so walls stay straight and crack-free.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINConcrete for Your House: Grades, Mixing, Pouring and CuringWhat M20 and M25 mean, why extra water is the biggest enemy of strength, and the curing and de-shuttering times that decide how strong your slab really is.
HOME BUILDERS3 MINTMT Steel Bars: Fe500, Fe500D, Fe550D and How to Check QualityWhat the grades mean, how to check bars by weight and markings, and the site mistakes that weaken a house more than the choice of brand.
HOME BUILDERS1 MINComplete Hardware Checklist for a New HomeRoom-by-room list of doors, fittings, plumbing and electrical hardware, so nothing is missed when you visit the store.
HOME BUILDERS2 MINHouse Construction Cost Per Sq Ft in India: How to Estimate It ProperlyWhat a "rate per square foot" includes and leaves out, how to get real rates for your city, and how to build a budget you can trust.

In preparation