Homeowners · 14 items

Home Construction Kickoff Checklist

Before the first pour: documents, budget buffers, team roles, and site basics homeowners often skip.

1
Verify clear land title
Chain of title + recent encumbrance certificate.
2
Confirm zoning and FAR
What you can legally build on this plot.
3
Secure sanctioned building plan
Municipal approval before advertising or excavating.
4
Set a total project budget
Include soft costs, approvals, contingencies (10–15%).
5
Lock quality tier early
Basic / standard / premium drives material and labour cost.
6
Appoint architect + structural engineer
Roles and communication channels in writing.
7
Select contractor with references
Visit an active site if possible.
8
Define payment milestones
Tied to stages (foundation, slab, finishing), not calendar alone.
9
Open a dedicated project bank account
Keeps cash flow and GST invoices auditable.
10
Arrange temporary site power & water
Often delayed — book early.
11
Fence and secure the plot
Safety + material theft prevention.
12
Photograph existing neighbours/structures
Useful if disputes arise during excavation.
13
Agree weekly reporting format
Photos + progress vs schedule.
14
Plan for monsoon pauses
Especially for foundation and waterproofing work.

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