Key Takeaways
- The most expensive mistakes happen before construction starts — at contract and design stage.
- Never pay large advances; tie every rupee to verified milestones.
- A written, itemised BOQ prevents 90% of builder disputes.
1. Signing without an itemised BOQ
A one-line quote (“PKR 2 Crore, full house”) is how surprise costs happen. Demand a BOQ that names every material by brand, grade and quantity. The BOQ total should be the contract price, changeable only by written scope change.
2. Paying large advances
Reputable builders work on milestone payments — foundation, slab, brickwork, finishing — released only after physical verification. If a contractor needs 30-40% upfront, they are funding another project with your money.
3. Skipping the soil test
A bearing-capacity test costs a fraction of a foundation redesign. Etihad Town soil is generally good, but plot-specific testing before foundation design is still mandatory practice.
4. Not verifying concrete and steel
Insist on B-25 minimum concrete with cube tests at every pour (results at 7 and 28 days) and Grade 60 steel with mill certificates. Substandard structure cannot be fixed later — it can only be demolished.
5. Starting without map approval
Construction without an approved building map risks sealed sites and demolition notices. In Etihad Town, LDA-jurisdiction approval is required before breaking ground — our map approval service handles the entire submission.
6. Changing the design mid-construction
Moving a staircase on paper costs nothing; moving it after the slab is poured costs lakhs. Freeze the design — plans, elevations and 3D — before the first brick. Our architecture & 3D service exists precisely so you approve what you see.
7. Choosing a builder on price alone
The lowest bid usually recovers its margin through material substitution and change orders. Compare BOQs line by line, visit active sites, and talk to past clients. Then read our grey structure vs turnkey guide to pick the right contract type.
Building soon? Get a free itemised BOQ within 48 hours — contact Etihad Builders.