What Are the Essential Steps to Plan a House Construction Properly?

Introduction to what are the essential steps to plan a house construction:

Building a house is a lifetime investment and a dream for many people. But most people don’t know what are the essential steps to plan a house construction properly, especially when it comes to technical and engineering basics. In this blog post, we explain everything clearly in 20 complete steps, with all necessary construction details from start to finish.

This blog post shares complete and essential knowledge for what are the essential steps to plan a house construction. It explains each step in a clear and organised way—from choosing a plot to the final shifting. Every stage is supported with technical guidance, working process, and common problems that people often face during construction.

20 Steps for what are the essential steps to plan a house construction:

Before you build your home, you must choose a good plot. The location of your plot affects your comfort, cost, and future home value.

• Avoid plots in low-lying areas (risk of water accumulation).
• Choose plots with road access, water line, electricity, and sewerage.
• Always check ground level compared to the road.
• Common Problem: Low plots cause water issues during rain.

Always check if the plot is legally safe. Many people lose money due to fake documents or illegal land.

• Confirm the land registry, ownership, and boundary limits.
• Check approved land use (residential, not agricultural).
• Visit the local authority for the map approval status.
• Common Problem: Buying disputed land delays or stops the project.

Budget planning helps avoid stress later. It gives a clear idea of how much you can spend on each part of construction.

• Include land, construction material, labor, fittings, and finishing.
• Add 10–20% extra for inflation or surprise expenses.
• Divide the total budget by construction phases (gray structure, finishing, etc.).
• Common Problem: Work stops mid-way due to poor budgeting.

An architect makes a smart and approved design for your house. Never build without a proper house map.

• Architect provides 2D/3D layouts and structural drawings.
• Includes room layout, window placements, ventilation, etc.
• Follows local construction codes and space requirements.
• Common Problem: Unlicensed maps get rejected during approval.

You must get your Drawings/map approved by the local authority. Without approval, your house may be illegal.

• Submit drawings, plot documents, and ID to the city authority.
• Pay the approval fee and wait for the NOC (No Objection Certificate).
• Approval includes height limit, floor area, and building line.
• Common Problem: Unapproved construction can be fined or demolished.

You can build your house in two ways. Choose the one that suits your time and experience.

• Full Contract (Turnkey): The Builder gives material + labor with a lump sum cost.
• Labor Rate: You arrange the material; laborers are paid per sq. ft.
• Always sign a written agreement with a payment schedule.
• Common Problem: No contract leads to delays or extra cost demands.

Marking the layout on the ground ensures construction matches the approved map.

• Use a total station or level machine for accuracy.
• Mark rooms, walls, beam lines, and septic area.
• Verify the diagonal distance for squareness.
• Common Problem: Inaccurate marking affects structure alignment.

Foundation is the base of your house. If it’s weak, your house may crack or sink.

• Foundation depth: 3–5 ft (normal), deeper in soft soil.
• RCC footing: Use M20 grade concrete (1:1.5:3 ratio).
• Steel cover: Keep a 40 mm spacer below bars to avoid corrosion.
• Common Problem: Shallow foundations settle in rainy seasons.

These are load-bearing parts of your house. These support the house and transfer load to the foundation.

• Use a minimum of 4 to 6 numbers of 12 mm diameter bars for small columns or as per design.
• Tie with 8 mm stirrups spaced at 150 mm center-to-center or as per structure design.
• Beam depth: At least 12″-18” for residential houses.
• Curing: Water for 7–10 days minimum.
• Common Problem: Poor bar bending and short curing cause cracks.

The roof is the top slab covering structure. The roof keeps your home safe and strong. Correct steel fixing and curing are necessary.

• Use an RCC slab with proper shuttering and steel mesh.
• Steel mesh: Use minimum 12 mm rods at 6″ (150 mm) spacing or as per structure design.
• Leave a 1–2″ gap around walls (expansion joint).
• Curing: 14 days for the roof slab, cover with wet sacks.
• Common Problem: Early de-shuttering leads to sagging.

These plumbing and electrical systems are fixed before plaster. Wrong fixing can cause leakage or shock later. Services are hidden behind walls.

• Use PVC or PPRC pipes for water lines, proper slope for drainage.
• Use conduit pipes for electric wires, and a separate circuit for heavy loads.
• Mark all points before the wall plaster.
• Common Problem: Cutting the wall again due to wrong fitting locations.

Plaster gives a clean finish to brick walls. Plaster gives a smooth finish and protects the structure.

• Internal plaster: 12 mm thick;
• External: 15 mm thick.
• Mix ratio: 1-part cement, 4 parts sand.
• Curing: Water walls for 7 days minimum.
• Common Problem: Cracks from fast drying or wrong mix ratio.

Properly fitted doors and windows keep the home secure and airy.

• Door frame height: 7 ft; Window sill height: 3 ft from floor.
• Use hardwood (ash, kail) or aluminum UPVC.
• Paint or polish for protection.
• Common Problem: Doors swell due to poor seasoning.

Storage improves home utility. Good storage planning keeps the house neat. Cupboards or walk in closet are usually made during finishing stage.

• Materials: MDF, Laminate, Chipboard, or Plywood.
• Fix with proper screw, hinges, and edge banding.
• Wardrobe standard depth: 20–24 inches.
• Common Problem: MDF swells in humidity if not sealed properly.

The floor is one of the most high-traffic areas in a house. Floor tiles add both beauty and durability to your home. You can choose tile or hardwood flooring in color combinations that match your interior style and overall theme.

• Tile size: 12″x12″, 18″x18″, or 24″x24″ for a modern look.
• Leveling must be done using cement screed.
• Leave 1–2 mm grout gap between tiles.
• Common Problem: Uneven tiles crack under pressure.

Enhances style and protects walls through a smart combination of exterior elevation colors and interior paint choices.

• Apply wall putty before painting.
• Use emulsion or weather shield paint for exterior walls.
• Paint minimum 2 coats.
• Common Problem: Paint peels when surface is dusty or wet.

A Luxury Modern Kitchen Design should be both functional and comfortable, offering style without compromising ease of use.

• Counter height: 36 inches; Counter width: 24 inches.
• Materials: Granite, quartz, or PVC tops.
• Add chimney or exhaust fan for ventilation.
• Common Problem: Wrong layout makes movement difficult.

Bathrooms need correct slope and waterproofing.

• WC height: 15–17 inches; Washbasin: 32–34 inches.
• Anti-slip tiles are best.
• Slope: 1 inch per 4 feet towards drain.
• Common Problem: Water pools due to incorrect floor slope.

Lights complete the interior. Install all final items after paint and cleaning.

• Install fans, ceiling lights, switches, and sockets.
• Main breaker should be easily accessible.
• Use branded accessories for safety.
• Common Problem: Overloaded circuits cause tripping.

Now the house is ready. Clean the house fully and check all systems. Then, move into your dream home.

• Deep clean before moving in.
• Check doors, locks, taps, switches, and windows.
• Arrange furniture, curtains, and kitchen setup.
• Apply silicone sealant in bathroom edges.
• Common Problem: Missed final repairs become costly later.

Now you know exactly what are the essential steps to plan a house construction properly — from buying land to final shifting. This guide gave you complete technical and basic knowledge to build your dream home with confidence.

Always follow technical advice, use proper materials, and supervise work regularly. By avoiding common mistakes and understanding each step, you can save money, time, and stress.

For more home construction guides and helpful tips, visit masterhomedecor.com — your trusted partner in home improvement.

The size depends on soil condition and load. For standard single-story homes, foundation width is usually 3–4 feet with a depth of 3–5 feet. Get a soil test report and follow the structural engineer’s recommendation.

• Columns/Beams: Minimum 7 days
• Roof Slabs: 14 days
  Curing helps concrete gain strength. Keep the surface wet continuously.

It shows the soil’s load-bearing capacity, moisture level, and type. This helps design safe foundations and avoid future cracks or settlement.

• 1:1.5:3 is for structural elements like beams, columns, and slabs (stronger).
• 1:2:4 is for non-load-bearing parts like pathways, floors or lintels.
  Use the correct ratio for the required strength.

• Internal Walls: 12-15 mm (½ inch)
• External Walls: 15-18 mm (⅝ inch)
  Too thick or too thin plaster may crack or fall off.

Use waterproof plywood or laminated MDF with edge sealing. Avoid chipboard in damp places as it swells quickly.

• Fresh Water Lines: PPRC or CPVC
• Drainage Lines: UPVC
  Avoid mixing brands. Test for leakage before plastering walls.

Cracks occur due to fast drying, poor curing, weak mix, or the wrong application method. Ensure slow drying and a minimum of 7-day curing.

• Use waterproofing compound before tiling.
• Maintain correct slope (1 inch per 4 feet).
• Seal joints with silicone after tile fixing.

• Separate circuits for AC, Rooms, Kitchen, Living rooms, oven, and geyser.
• Use proper gauge wire (minimum 4 mm² for heavy load).
• Install ELCB or MCB for safety.
  Always hire a certified electrician.