What to check at each stage of the build.

Build stage guide: what the owner checks

1. 01 · The plot and the files (Files)

   Before any price: the building permit, approved drawings, the bill of quantities if available, the plot location and built-up area.

   What you check

   • The deed, building permit and approved drawings are available and belong to this plot.
   • The quote states inclusions, exclusions and responsibilities in writing, line by line.

   What you decide

   • The execution model: labor only, with materials, or full execution.
   • Tie each payment to an execution stage and completion evidence agreed in the contract.

2. 02 · Excavation and footings (Structural shell)

   Excavation and backfill, then footings and tie beams. Soil and concrete testing, where needed, is specified in the quotation before pricing.

   What you check

   • Spoil removal: included in the quote, or priced separately?
   • Soil and concrete testing is set out in the quote where needed, with a lab reference for each result.

   What you decide

   • Whether testing enters the scope, decided before pricing.

   Related hold point: Testing: Concrete and soil testing where needed, specified in the quotation before pricing.

3. 03 · Columns and beams (Structural shell)

   Before any structural element is poured: formwork and reinforcement checked against the approved drawings.

   What you check

   • A documented pre-pour check: formwork and reinforcement match the approved drawings (size, spacing, cover).
   • Embedded items and sleeves are placed correctly before the pour.

   What you decide

   • Under labor only: buying steel and concrete per the agreed scope.

   Related hold point: Before pouring: Formwork and reinforcement checked against approved drawings before any structural element is poured.

4. 04 · Slabs and the shell (Structural shell)

   Roof slabs complete the shell, and the pre-pour check repeats before every subsequent cast element.

   What you check

   • The pre-pour check repeats before every slab and every later cast element.
   • A periodic progress report with photos records work done and decisions needed from you.

   What you decide

   • Any change has its effect on price and schedule documented in writing, and your approval, before it starts.

   Related hold point: Before pouring: Formwork and reinforcement checked against approved drawings before any structural element is poured.

   Related hold point: During execution: Periodic checkpoints documented with photos, tied to the weekly progress report.

5. 05 · Blockwork and insulation (Structural shell)

   Block masonry, waterproofing and insulation, each item clearly classified as labor-only or with materials.

   What you check

   • Waterproofing and insulation are a specified system in the quote, not a phrase like “excellent insulation”.
   • Service routes and openings match the drawings before walls are closed.

   What you decide

   • How block masonry and insulation are classified: who supplies materials, and what depends on the drawings.

   Related hold point: During execution: Periodic checkpoints documented with photos, tied to the weekly progress report.

6. 06 · Facades and finishing (Finishing)

   Exterior finishes, facades, doors and windows, scoped item by item after a technical review.

   What you check

   • The existing shell matches the approved drawings before finishing begins.
   • No remaining shell-stage work affects when finishing can start.

   What you decide

   • Finish specifications in precise, checkable fields, not a phrase like “high quality”.

7. 07 · Inspection and the snag list (Inspection & handover)

   A documented final inspection walk-through and a written snag list, item by item.

   What you check

   • A documented final inspection walk-through.
   • A written snag list, item by item, each with an owner and a photo reference.

   What you decide

   • Review the snag list and add what you notice before it is agreed.

   Related hold point: Before handover: A written snag list, with every item closed out before formal project handover.

8. 08 · Handover (Inspection & handover)

   No formal handover before every item on the list is closed, together with the closeout documents.

   What you check

   • Every snag-list item is closed before formal handover.
   • The closeout documents are handed over with the project.

   What you decide

   • Formal acceptance after the list is closed, not before.

   Related hold point: Before handover: A written snag list, with every item closed out before formal project handover.

An illustrative guidance tool. It does not replace review by a licensed engineer. The images are illustrative frames of one villa, not a project built by Constrak. Prepared with the Constrak Contracting tools (constraksa.com).