Once you finalize the land, you can meet professionals like Architects / Engineers / Contractors etc. for the design and drawing of your house. He should be registered with the Municipal Authority and fully conversant with the Development Control Regulations and Building By-Laws. He will provide you with the plan, elevation, side and rear views of your proposed house along with steel reinforcement details. From your hired professionals, you will need to get the following(if applicable):
- Certificate of Undertaking from Architect
- Certificate of Undertaking form Structural/Civil Engineer.
- Certificate of Undertaking from Construction Supervisor.
- Certificate of Undertaking for Hazard Safety Requirements (To be signed jointly by the Owner and the Structural Engineer)
- Structural Design Basis Report from the Structural/Civil Engineer.
- Soil Investigation Certificate from the Geo-Technia/Soil Engineer
- Certified Copies of Building Plans.
- No Objection Certificate form Various Authorities.
General fees charged by the Architects/Engineers are a small percentage of the total construction cost. But a good professional can compensate this expense by designing your house in an economical way.
If you are engaging a contractor then specify the terms and conditions in writing to him. You must specify the construction schedule, payment terms, quality of work, quality of materials like cement, sand, steel, finishing and fittings, flooring, painting, electricals, sanitary items, doors and windows, etc. in contract specification.