GUIDE
How to choose a construction contractor in Bangalore
The questions to ask before you sign, what a good quotation looks like, and the warning signs that should make you walk away — whoever you end up hiring.
Hire the process, not the pitch
Every contractor will tell you they use good materials and finish on time. What separates them is what happens after the advance is paid: who is on site, how changes are handled, and what you receive when something goes wrong. You can find that out before signing — if you ask the right questions and read the quotation properly.
BEFORE YOU SIGN
Six questions to ask every contractor
- 01
Who will be on my site every day?
Ask for the name and role of the engineer or supervisor. 'I'll visit regularly' is not an answer.
- 02
Can I see a current site?
A live site shows housekeeping, safety, and whether the people match the pitch. Any good contractor will offer it.
- 03
What does this quotation exclude?
If exclusions aren't written down, assume the list is long. Ask specifically about the compound wall, sump, connections and interiors.
- 04
How are changes priced?
Variations should be priced and approved in writing before they are built, and appear on the next bill.
- 05
What are payments tied to?
Milestones you can see — plinth, each slab, plastering — not calendar dates or 'progress'.
- 06
What happens after handover?
Ask for the defects period in writing, and who you call when something fails.
READING THE SIGNS
Good signs and warning signs
| Good sign | Warning sign |
|---|---|
| An itemised bill of quantities with unit rates | A one-line lump sum or a per-square-foot figure with no breakdown |
| A written specification with brands and finish level | 'Good quality materials' with no names |
| Payments tied to completed milestones | A large advance with the rest 'as work progresses' |
| A named site engineer and a weekly report | A contractor who is the only point of contact and is often unreachable |
| Willing to show a live site and past clients | Only finished photographs, no sites to visit |
| Written variations before extra work starts | 'We'll adjust it at the end' |
Questions about hiring a contractor
Should I hire an architect and a contractor separately?
Usually yes. An independent architect or engineer prepares the drawings and can check the contractor's work against them. Keeping design and execution separate keeps both honest.
What should be in the agreement?
The drawings, the specification, the bill of quantities, the payment schedule, the programme, how variations are handled, the defects period and how disputes are resolved. If it fits on one page, it is missing things.
How do I check a contractor's past work?
Visit a completed building and a live site, and speak to the owners without the contractor present. Ask about the schedule, the cost against the original quotation, and what happened after handover.
Ask us these questions
We'd rather you asked them before hiring anyone — including us. Get in touch and we'll answer each one in writing.