How to Tell If a Building Was Poorly Constructed Before You Buy It
Whether you are buying a second-hand home, purchasing an apartment in a new development, or evaluating a commercial building for investment, understanding the quality of its construction before you commit is critical — and often overlooked. In Nepal's property market, where construction quality varies enormously between builders, conducting even a basic building quality assessment before purchase can save you from a very expensive mistake. At Jadan Construction Group , our engineers regularly conduct pre-purchase building assessments. Here is what to look for. Warning Signs You Can Check Yourself 1. Look for Patterns of Cracking Hairline cracks in plaster are normal. Wide, active, or patterned cracks are not. Stand back and look at exterior walls for diagonal cracks at window corners (signs of settlement), horizontal cracks along mortar joints (signs of wall spreading under load), and step cracks following mortar joints in brick walls (signs of differential foundation settlement). ...