Below is a PROFESSIONAL, PRACTICAL GUIDE to help you monitor contractor work like an expert, even if you are not from a technical background.
Use this as a daily reference + stage-wise inspection checklist.
HOW TO MONITOR CONTRACTOR WORK : LIKE A PROFESSIONAL (STEP BY STEP) :::-----
1️⃣ BEFORE WORK STARTS (MOST IMPORTANT) ::----
A. Documents You Must Have :-
1. Approved architectural drawings
2. Structural drawings
3. Electrical & plumbing layouts
4. BOQ (material + quantities)
5. Written contract (scope, rate, timeline).
Professional Tip: 👉 Never allow work without final drawings.
B. Contract Must Clearly Mention :-
1. Material brands & grades
2. Labour scope
3. Payment stage-wise
4. Penalty for delay
5. Warranty & defect liability.
2️⃣ STAGE-WISE MONITORING (SITE CHECKLIST) ::----
🔹 STAGE 1: FOUNDATION WORK What to Check :-
1. Excavation depth as per drawing
2. Steel size, spacing & cover blocks
3. Cement brand & grade
4. Concrete mix (not over-watered)
5. Anti-termite treatment
6. Proper curing (minimum 7 days).
Attention:-
❌ Rusty steel
❌ Excess water in concrete
❌ No curing.
🔹 STAGE 2: RCC (COLUMNS, BEAMS, SLAB) What to Check :-
1. Steel bars count & diameter
2. Binding wire tightness
3. Shuttering alignment & support
4. Electrical/plumbing sleeves before slab
5. Vibration during concreting
6. Curing for 14 days.
Simple Test :-
1. Tap shuttering → must feel solid
2. Slab surface → no honeycombing.
🔹 STAGE 3: BRICK / BLOCK WORK What to Check :-
1. Brick quality (no cracks)
2. Vertical & horizontal alignment
3. Wall thickness
4. Proper mortar ratio
5. Lintel above doors/windows.
Attention:-
❌ Uneven joints
❌ Broken bricks used excessively.
🔹 STAGE 4: PLUMBING (CONCEALED) What to Check ::-----
1. Correct pipe type (CPVC / UPVC)
2. Proper slope for drainage
3. Traps provided
4. Pressure testing before plaster
5. Vent pipe provided.
Ask This Question :-
👉 “Show me the pressure test result”
🔹 STAGE 5: ELECTRICAL (CONCEALED) What to Check ::-----
1. Conduit quality & size
2. Proper bends (no sharp turns)
3. Separate conduits for power & data
4. DB location & height
5. Earthing wire continuity.
Attention:-
❌ Loose conduits
❌ No earthing wire.
🔹 STAGE 6: PLASTERING What to Check ::----
1. Wall surface flatness
2. Vertical alignment (use spirit level)
3. No hollow sound when tapped
4. Proper curing for 7 days.
🔹 STAGE 7: WATERPROOFING (CRITICAL) ::------
A. Where :-
1. Bathrooms
2. Balcony
3. Terrace
B. What to Check :-
1. Approved waterproofing chemical
2. Pond test (24–48 hours)
3. No leakage below slab.
Golden Rule :-
❌ No tiles before waterproofing test.
🔹 STAGE 8: FLOORING & TILING What to Check ::----
1. Tile alignment & level
2. Equal joint spacing
3. Hollow sound test
4. Proper slope in bathrooms.
🔹 STAGE 9: DOORS & WINDOWS What to Check ::----
1. Frame plumb & level
2. Proper fixing
3. Smooth shutter movement
4. Hardware quality.
🔹 STAGE 10: ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING FINAL FIX ::-----
Electrical :-
1. Correct switches & sockets
2. Proper labeling in DB
3. ELCB/RCCB installed
4. Load testing.
Plumbing :-
No leakage
Proper flow
Fixtures alignment
3️⃣ MATERIAL CONTROL (VERY IMPORTANT) ::----
How Professionals Control Materials :-
1. Match delivery with BOQ
2. Check brand & quantity
3. Keep delivery photos
4. Store materials properly
5. Reject substandard items immediately.
4️⃣ PAYMENT CONTROL (SMART METHOD) ::----
Stage-Wise Payment Example Stage Payment :-
1. Foundation 10–15%
2. RCC 20–25%
3. Brickwork 15%
4. Plaster 15%
5. Finishing 20%
6. Final handover Balance.
👉 Never pay 100% before completion
5️⃣ DAILY SITE VISIT (15-MINUTE RULE) Ask these 5 questions daily ::---
1. What was done yesterday?
2. What will be done today?
3. Any material required?
4. Any problem or delay?
5. What inspection is needed?
6️⃣ SNAG LIST (PROFESSIONAL TOOL) Create a simple snag list ::---
1. Location
2. Issue
3. Photo
4. Deadline
5. Status (open/closed).
7️⃣ COMMON CONTRACTOR EXCUSES (BE ALERT) ::----
❌ “Sir, this is standard practice”
❌ “This is enough”
❌ “No problem later”
👉 Professional reply :-
“Show me drawings/specification.”
8️⃣ GOLDEN RULES TO REMEMBER ::----
✔ Drawings > Verbal instructions
✔ Testing before concealment
✔ Curing is non-negotiable
✔ Waterproofing is critical
✔ Final payment after defect fixing.
🧠 PROFESSIONAL MINDSET ::----
You don’t need to do the work —
You need to ask the right questions and check the right things.
