Is civil work often overlooked by homebuyers?

While purchasing a new house, most buyers give importance to the visible aspects such as location, amenities and interiors, while often neglecting the crucial foundation—civil work—that defines their property’s long-term value and safety. Civil work encompasses the structural and foundation elements of construction, such as the quality of concrete, RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structure, plumbing, waterproofing and electrical design. These elements, although not as visible as designer tiles or modular kitchens are the very spine of any building.

The problem lies in the highly technical nature of civil work—it is extremely specialised, riddled with jargon and not something the typical buyer can evaluate without specialised knowledge. Terms like ‘M25 grade concrete’ or ‘APP membrane waterproofing’ are meaningless to average purchasers, creating a knowledge gap that developers don’t always bridge effectively.

Why is some construction knowledge important for a buyer?

The consequences of overlooking civil work are expensive and long-lasting. Waterproofing is probably the most frequent example. A house can look its best at handover, but poor waterproofing in basements, bathrooms or terraces can lead to leakages and dampness within a few years, problems that are not only troublesome but costly to rectify.

The source of the problem is information asymmetry. Developers spend considerable money on quality civil work, appoint good contractors and follow codes and safety standards, but this is not always explained in language that consumers can easily interpret or assess. They are presented with sample flats, brochures, and lists of facilities, but customers hardly ever inquire about MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) details.

To address this, buyers should ask straightforward but effective questions: Who is the structural consultant for the project? What grade of concrete is used? What waterproofing systems are employed? Are CPVC or PPR pipes used for plumbing? Are third-party quality audit reports available? These questions don’t really need technical expertise but can surely lead to honest discussions about construction quality.

Encouragingly, the market is maturing, and many developers are taking proactive steps. They are providing pre-possession site walkthroughs, civil work documentation, construction progress updates with technical explanations and third-party quality certifications. This not only instils confidence but also educates homebuyers to make intelligent decisions.

In an industry where trustworthiness and durability are paramount, the unseen efforts that go into civil work may well be the deciding factor between a good buy and a smart investment. The key is transforming technical complexity from a barrier into an opportunity for making truly informed decisions.

(Author is director of Ajmera Realty and Infra Ltd.)