Building a home of your own is a gratifying achievement, but one that is quite tricky as well. Rising costs, finding a trustworthy contractor, and purchasing sustainable materials are some of the most commonly faced house construction problems in Pakistan. These issues can easily become overwhelming, exhausting homeowners and distracting them from the matters that need their undivided attention.
However, there are a few things or clever hacks that can help you solve the problems that come coupled with almost every construction project in Pakistan.
Pro-tip: Go through our recently posted blog covering essential consideration for house construction to make better-informed decisions.
Meanwhile, this blog will focus on commonly faced house construction problems and their brick-by-brick resolution. Let’s get constructing!
Common House Construction Problems in Pakistan & Their Resolution
From deciding the base of the house to selecting the right interior theme – we often neglect the fact that every issue or question is somehow chained to the other and avoiding or overseeing one can lead to a disaster. This is why we want to help you to get through your house construction project smoothly and conveniently. So, here’s a quick review of the problems to anticipate before breaking ground:
- Costs – Expected and Unexpected
- Assistance of Technology
- Shortage of Skilled Labour
- Safety Issues
Costs – Expected and Unexpected
House construction plans are rather critical to be intact due to their nature and the fluctuation in market prices. The fact that the cost of construction materials can change rapidly is a risk for the contractor as well as the homeowners. So, there’s not any typical roadmap for estimating finances and other operations. However, you can finalise the head of costs that will be covered under the construction contract and communicate all your requirements to the contractor beforehand so that the costs can be estimated in advance. Meanwhile, you should prepare yourself for the fact that unexpected costs and delays in the schedule are norms in the house-building projects.
In order to help you get better acquainted with the house construction process, we have prepared a list of things that are part of the foundation, including:
- Taking a soil analysis
- Designing the house layout and reserving space for extra construction
- Applying for house utilities such as water, electricity, and gas.
- Preparing for the foundation of the house
- Selecting the correct fixtures including doors, windows, and ventilators
- Finalising the exteriors and interiors
- Painting the walls and polishing the floor
Assistance of Technology
The construction industry in Pakistan is dynamic and skilled enough to find a resolution for commonly faced issues in construction management. However, some companies do find themselves being challenged due to the lack of technology and awareness.
The world is shifting to drones to monitor construction activities, and virtual reality systems are being used for training labours. Similarly, robots and self-sufficient equipment are taking over manpower along with alleviating the burden on the shoulders of contractors. Now, shifting completely to digitisation might take a while, but homeowners can opt for companies that are adopting technologies, bringing innovative solutions to construction problems, and employing modern techniques of surveys to revolutionise their typical methods and reduce construction site risks and hazards.
A great example in this context is BM Technologies – Zameen’s partner brand in home construction material. The company uses an innovative method for creating a clean, hygienic, and refreshing home environment by installing central vacuum cleaning and central ventilation systems.
Shortage of Skilled Labours
There’s no doubt that the construction industry is one of the principal elements of Pakistan’s economy. According to a recent report, it is the fourth largest industry in Pakistan, after Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, and Electricity & Gas, and it contributes around 0.25% of the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
Considering Pakistan’s construction industry, it highly depends upon manual labour, despite the revolution in the construction methods. Even though the vast majority of the population comprises people below 40 years, the Pakistani youth today do not find construction jobs as much rewarding and are adopting other professions. Hence, the demand for skilled labours is increasing while the supply is stagnant. Since such is the scenario, homeowners should book labour in advance and avoid any hassles that might disrupt their construction project. More importantly, it’s high time that construction companies start bringing innovations to their methods to attract youth, reduce costs, and build better.
Safety Issues
Safety measures are one of the biggest issues in construction management. If any labour is injured during the process, it can upset the schedule of delivery, with the homeowners/contractors spending more than their budget to compensate. A great way to avoid workforce injuries is to adopt safety practices and invest in building a strong injury management programme. This extra step will ultimately reduce injury rates and will keep the schedule and budget within the fences.
On a separate note, the construction agreement that involves the builder, as well as the homeowner, should communicate all the necessary factors and mention the areas that will be the builder’s responsibility. It will help both parties to have fair communications and avoid any conflicts later on.
Ever wondered how much constructing a 10 marla house in 2019 costs? Go, check out our recently updated blog. Get the latest updates on Pakistan’s construction sector directly delivered to your mailbox by entering your email address in the box on the right side. Connect with us at blogs@zameen.com or our Facebook page.
