The contractor you choose will make hundreds of decisions you never see. Choosing well is the single most important thing you do after the design — and it is mostly a matter of checking, not trusting.
Building a Shortlist
- Recommendations from people who have built recently.
- Finished houses in your area — ask the owners who built them.
- Architects and structural engineers, who see contractors' work closely.
Aim for three or four contractors to compare.
Checking Each Contractor
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Finished houses | Straight walls, even plaster, no damp, clean details |
| Past clients | On time? On budget? Problems fixed after handover? |
| A current site | Supervision present, materials stored properly, curing done, safety |
| Team | Who will supervise your site daily? |
| Workload | How many sites at once? Overstretched contractors delay |
| Documents | GST registration, a proper office, written quotes |
Comparing Quotes Fairly
Give every contractor the same drawings and the same specification — ideally a BOQ to price line by line. A lower per sq ft figure often means less is included or cheaper materials are assumed.
The Contract
| Clause | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Scope | What is in and out — sump, septic tank, compound wall, electrical, plumbing |
| Specification | Brand, grade and type of cement, steel, blocks, tiles, fittings, paint |
| Rate and measurement | Per sq ft of built-up area, measured how |
| Payment schedule | Stage-linked, with retention |
| Timeline | Milestones and what happens on delay |
| Changes | Priced at agreed rates, in writing before work |
| Water and power | Who provides and pays during construction |
| Defect liability | Who fixes what, for how long after handover |
| Disputes | How they are resolved |
A Sensible Payment Schedule
| Stage | Example share |
|---|---|
| Mobilisation | Small, not a large advance |
| Foundation and plinth | On completion |
| Each slab | On completion |
| Masonry | On completion |
| Plaster | On completion |
| Flooring and finishes | On completion |
| Retention | 5% or so, released after the defect period |
Pay against work done and checked, not against dates.
If You Buy Cement and Steel Yourself
Many owners keep cement and steel purchasing in their own hands and contract the rest. State this clearly in the contract, agree delivery timing with the contractor, and make the contractor responsible for storage and use on site.
The Short Version
See their work, call their clients, visit their site, compare quotes on one specification, and sign a clear contract with stage payments and retention. The few days this takes protect the months of construction that follow.
