What Should You Look for  in a Builder..?
  Buying an apartment or building a house is a lifetime investment. So choose a builder who is reliable, who can deliver the goods he promises and on time. A builder should be able to give you real value for money. Be sure of the credentials of the builder. Talk to residents of apartment blocks built by him and ascertain details like:

* If he has promised them plastic emulsions on the walls, has he really given them that or has he used ordinary distemper.
* He could have assured them good copper wiring but since the wiring is concealed he could have used cheaper quality wire.
* Has he delivered items like bathroom fixtures according to the prices he charged. The same goes for every little thing that goes into making a house, from the wiring to the tiles, from the doors to sanitaryware. Most agreements with builders specify that payments should be made according to the stages of construction. If the builder has taken up more than one project at a time and you have paid for a certain stage, he may siphon your money to a different project. Your money could be held up, your apartment may be completed much after the time frame. Legally there is a penalty clause which binds the builder to pay you a certain sum of money if he doesn't complete the work in the scheduled time. Vice versa, you are liable to pay the builder a fine if you don't pay him according to schedule.
* When a builder shows you the plans for the proposed project, ascertain that the project is legally sanctioned.
* See if the builder makes arrangements for maintenance, once the construction is complete.
* Ensure that all agreements with the builder are in writing.