Concrete precast panel ...

Concrete precast panel ...

Square Cuter for Brick and wall

Components of a Building

The Big Architecture

The Big Architecture 

How to install Pokemon Go game on your Android phone india

download Pokemon Go game install on smartphone.

1. First, go to settings. Enter the Security menu. Swipe down to "Unknown sources" option under "Device administration" header and turn it on. 

2. Go to this page on APK Mirror from your android smartphone. Tap on Download APK. After seeing a warning message, tap on OK. The file will start downloading.

3.Once the download is complete, swipe down on the homescreen to access the notification panel. Tap on the file to install it.

done and enjoy 

Amazing tool for cement plastering... save time and money

Amazing tool for cement plastering... save time and money

single column footing

single column footing

A closer look at Interior Architecture and Design

What’s so attractive about interior architecture and design?

If you have an interest in your surroundings and constantly think of new ways of approaching space to create better environments; if you look around with a creative eye, implement changes to your home and often suggest changes your friends should make to their own, perhaps you should consider a career in interior architecture and design.

Experts in this field effectively manipulate space to accommodate the human activity that takes place there. With creative solutions they optimise the built environment to improve user experience and the functionality of space. They combine this with a keen knowledge of aesthetics and an understanding of materials, products, textures, fabrics, colour, lighting and other factors that go into creating the atmosphere and mood of specific environments.

On the architecture side, they must know how the interior of various buildings meet the needs of the people who use them and how to implement structural alterations to accommodate changing needs. For example, if a hospital is being converted into a modern office block, they are responsible for ensuring the layout of the revised building functions effectively and as it is intended. They also have the responsibilty of creating spaces that adhere to health and safety standards and to protect the well-being of the people who occupy them.

It is by no means a straightforward profession and practitioners will testify to the countless difficulties that arise from working on such collaborative projects. However, the rewards come in seeing your own design go from concept to completion and become a permanent part of the built environment.

What do interior architecture and design practitioners actually do?

They work on projects for clients who require amendments to be made to an existing space (commonly called renovations) or a design for an entirely new construction. The client outlines the requirements of the project in what is known as ‘the brief’ and the designer must find a way to complete this from concept to completion.

They must also present their suggestions to the client and build and maintain relationships with a number of other stakeholders including vendors, contractors, sub-contractors and surveyors.

Although it is difficult to provide a comprehensive job profile, typically the work would include:

• Discussing the requirements of the project, commonly known as ‘the brief’, with clients, colleagues, contractors and sub-contractors
• Planning what methods and materials will most successfully meet the requirements of the space set out in the brief
• Providing an accurate schedule detailing when certain stages of the project will be completed
• Providing an accurate cost for the entire project
• Researching around the project and providing sketched examples and/or ‘mood boards’ to discuss with the client
• Using industry software to create working designs, models and plans for the space
• Sourcing materials for fittings, furniture, lighting and decoration required for the project from vendors
• Working closely with quantity surveyors to discuss and agree on costs and scheduling
• Working with architects, other design professionals and contractors to establish any potential problems at an early stage
• Working with the construction team to ensure the design is followed
• Supervising the project from concept to completion to ensure the brief is met on time and within budget

How long would my working day be and what can I expect to earn?

Working hours for interior architecture and design jobs vary depending on the demands of the project, but practitioners should be prepared to work outside the standard nine to five schedule. Evening and weekend work is common and long travel distances, depending on the location of the project, mean overnight stays are to be expected. You have to be flexible and willing to sacrifice your time for the benefit of the project.

Opportunities

Experience is crucial in the industry it is usual to spend five to ten years building a professional reputation. Those starting out will normally enter a company at a low level and spend time learning from more experienced colleagues. Depending on performance, they will be offered an increasing amount of responsibility until they are able to work on projects more independently.

It is important to build a portfolio to present to potential employers. You should continue to build this throughout your career to present when considered for promotion within a company or to attract potential clients if self-employed. It is also common, and beneficial, to showcase work online.

Membership of professional bodies can encourage opportunities through contacts, professional development and networking. Two relevant bodies you should consider are the British Institute of Interior Design and the Chartered Society of Designers.

And my salary?

Current rates suggest that starting annual salaries in the interior architecture and design industry range from £15,000 to £20,000. Experienced designers can expect to earn £20,000 to £35,000 and senior designers £45,000 to £75,000. These figures are intended as a guideline only and you should always check the trade press for the latest information.

What training do I need, how do I get it and where should I look?

In order to become successful in this field, you will require the following skills and attributes:

• Creativity and imagination
• Attention to detail
• Organisational and creative problem solving skills
• Negotiation and management skills
• Great communication and teamwork skills
• The ability to manage your time, meet deadlines and work within a budget
• Advanced IT skills
• Drawing skills, especially perspective drawing and spatial awareness
• Spelling and grammar
• Numerical competency

How about software skills?

Industry standards in software constantly change and you will need to keep up-to-date with current trends and advances. Having said that, you will certainly need to be highly proficient in Adobe Indesign and Photoshop and you will need experience in computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modelling (BIM) software such as VectorWorks. Knowledge of 3D modelling software such as Cinema 4D and SketchUp will also be expected.

Do I need any qualifications?

Employers and clients would expect you to have relevant qualifications. The vast majority of people working in the industry will have an HND, Foundation degree or honours degree in interior architecture and design or a design-related discipline. A qualification gives employers confidence in your ability and has the added advantage of allowing you to build a portfolio of your work as you study.
Contact us today to find out more about the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course...

Choosing a course

Take care to choose the type of course and mode of study that most suits you. Most people choose full-time study at an attendance based college or university, but this usually involves relocating, and if you have work or family commitments it might not suit you. You may prefer a flexible, more affordable alternative such as an online course which can be studied on a part-time basis. You must be confident that the course that you choose really does prepare you for the profession, so don’t be afraid to ask questions of the provider.

Research your course options

The internet is your most valuable source of information about the variety of courses available to you in interior architecture and design. However, you must take time to ensure the course you choose is the right one for you. Don’t hesitate to contact institutions directly to ask for advice, guidance and information. Their response is a good indication of how student friendly and efficient the organisation will be.

Stuff to make you stand out

Interior architecture and design is a very popular discipline and there is always tough competition for jobs amongst people with similar skills and experience. It’s up to you to make your CV stand out to give you an advantage. There are a number of ways you can achieve this:

Employers will be interested in seeing evidence of your creative talent and you should aim to create a portfolio of quality work to showcase your talent. This could include mood boards, design ideas and it would be a good idea to show off your skills in software with some designs created on the CAD and BIM software mentioned previously. Creating a website or blog and following and contributing to existing blogs that specialise in design related matters is a great way to showcase your ability and build contacts.

Follow trends in interior architecture and design on social media and in the industry news to ensure you have a good level of knowledge on the subject. Getting into the industry, even as an unpaid intern, is one of the best ways to acquire knowledge.

Relevant experience is very important to show employers that you can work well in a team and in a professional environment. It is also a great opportunity for you to begin to build a network of contacts that can help you throughout your career. Building a career is a slow process requiring all the help you can get so don’t forget to stay in touch with people who you work with early on.

Don’t hesitate to approach companies and design agencies directly. Search for design agencies in the design directory of the British Design Innovation website. This will not only increase your knowledge of the industry but the names of the major and minor players within it.

You can find more information about careers in design, case studies and guides to setting up a business on the “Get into Design” and “Creative Choices” websites:

The big picture; where does interior architecture and design fit into the Creative and Cultural Industries?

The Creative and Cultural Industries is a term that describes a wide range of economic activities associated with the Arts and the generation of knowledge and information. This ‘creative economy’ includes disciplines such as architecture, the visual arts, advertising, literature and publishing, graphic design, the performing arts and television.

Interior architecture and design fits into this group and can similarly be branched out into separate specialisms such as lighting design, theatre set design, visual merchandising and museum and exhibition design.

Design is an integral part of everyday life. It combines functionality, practicality, creativity and aesthetics to provide solutions that make living simpler and conducting business more effective.

What is the relevance of these industries; how do they contribute to the economy?

You may be surprised to learn that the creative industries generate as many jobs globally as the financial services: 4% of the workforce. While there has been a 13% growth in employment in all industries over the last 30 years, there has been a staggering 37% growth in the creative industries alone.

The creative industries will generate significant numbers of jobs over the next decade and it is predicted that they will overtake the financial services industry in the levels of employment they will provide.

What does this mean in terms of jobs?

In the UK alone, the creative and cultural industries were known to employ 678,480 people working in 74,640 businesses in 2012. Of these, a significant number were employed within the design industry specifically.

The British design industry is vital for overseas trade and new investment and the creative industries generate more than £36 billion a year for the UK economy – that’s £70,000 every minute.

In November 2013, UK Business secretary, Vince Cable, championed how important the creative industries are for the UK economy:

“From airport interiors to groundbreaking medical devices and design exhibitions, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and are crucial to building a stronger economy.”

Breaking the headline statistics down to extract those relative to design alone reveals that in 2012:

There were 193,969 people working in the design industry, of which:

• 51% are in communications, interior and exhibition design
• 42% are in product and industrial design
• 7% are in stage and set design

There were 18,105 individual businesses operating in the UK, of which 94% employed less than 50 people.

• 34% of the design workforce was located in London and the South East of England.
• 32% of the design workforce was self‐employed.
• 14% of the workforce was working on a part‐time basis.
• 50% of those working in design have a Level 4 qualification or above

Men and women are equally likely to have a qualification at Level 4 or above

And in interior architecture and design?

Specifically, in the interior architecture and design industry, statistics from the top 100 firms in the world (based on fees generated) show the spread of work to be:

• Corporate office: 35.4%
• Hospitality: 18.1%
• Health care/assisted living: 14.5%
• Retail: 7.1%
• Government: 7.7%
• Educational: 6.8%
• Residential: 3.1%
• Transportation: 2.3%
• Cultural: 2%
• Other: 3%
• 56% of the projects are new constructions and 44% are renovations.

Interior architecture and design is also spreading globally. In 2012, a quarter of the top 100 interior architecture firms had foreign projects – an all-time high. Trending areas for interior architecture and design projects by the top 100 companies include:

• Canada: 58% of the top 100 companies are involved in projects there compared to 39% in 2009.
• Central and South America: Also growing to 37% from 26%
• Africa: Up to 27% from 22%

The latest figures show that the top 100 firms are becoming increasingly sustainable; 89% have incorporated a ‘green design’ philosophy. This is reflected in the fact that 48% of all fees now come from green design, up from 37% last year.

Although job opportunities in interior architecture and design are increasing at a steady rate, it remains a highly competitive industry. It is vital to prove to employers that you have talent by creating a comprehensive portfolio and gaining relevant qualifications.

You will find the following links essential when searching for jobs and information about trends within the industry:
Design Week
Interior Design
Creative Pool
Creative Jobs

Good luck and happy hunting!

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There's a glamorous resort in Turkey with 550 rooms

There's a glamorous resort in Turkey with 550 rooms, three swimming pools and even a florist, but despite this, some people might be put off - because it's based on the doomed ship Titanic.

The Turkish firm that built the hotel wanted to recreate the glamour and vastness of the impressive ship, which tragically sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage.

Guests are able to stroll on replica decks at the all-inclusive Titanic Beach Lara, and re-enact the 'king of the world' scene by the railings from the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

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smaller living room

So you’ve moved into a place that has a small living room. It’s not the end of the world. In fact, some say that a smaller living room will feel a lot more inviting and comfortable than a larger one so, you see, you might actually be lucky. But you still have to deal with one tiny problem. Arranging all the furniture in this small living room

There can be as many as 10 different layouts you can try in a space measuring only 100 square feet. Take this cozy seating area for example. All of these different configurations have a focal point around which everything else is organized and that can differ depending on the case. Several different combinations can be created using a series of furniture pieces such as a sofa, a couple of armchairs, a coffee table and, in some cases, a sectional.{found on apartmenttherapy}.

One option is to arrange all the seating units facing a focal point that can be pretty much anything. For example, it can be a bookcase, a fireplace, a TV, a fireplace or a painting. This way, no matter how you adapt the layout and rotate the chairs, everyone will be able to see the focal point you’ve provided.

Another option is to emphasize the conversation area. This means the furniture needs to be arranged in such a way to allow people to walk around and to face each other when sitting down. You can group sofas and chairs together to make interaction easier.

If you want the living room to be visually balanced and to feel harmonious, then take a different approach. When arranging the furniture, think of how it will impact the décor and what the relationship will be with the other pieces. For example, if you place a sofa on one side of the room, you can put two armchairs across from it to establish balance.

More info 

Cost $20,000 structure will be designed in 3D modeling software

Renting an apartment in Oakland, California, now costs roughly 30% more than it did two years ago. As the steeply rising cost of housing forces more people to live on the street, some city officials hope to soon build a tiny-house village as part of a solution.

"On any given night during the year, there are about 1,400 homeless people who need shelter in Oakland," says city council member Abel Guillen. "We’re taking steps to expand city shelter facilities, but we need to be creative in pursuing a wide package of strategies to get the housing we need online as soon as possible."

While other cities, including Seattle, Austin, and Madison, Wisconsin, have also experimented with tiny-house villages for the homeless, Oakland is testing a new design that can easily be mass produced. Students at Laney College are working on the first prototypes now.

"The whole structure will be designed in 3D modeling software, and then as much as possible, the structure will be created on a CNC machine," says Danny Beesley, who leads the school's FabLab, where the homes will be made. Unlike a typical tiny house with a standard two-by-four frame, the whole home will use a flat-pack design with pieces of plywood that can quickly be assembled.

The design is inspired by other flat-pack homes like Wikihouse, an open-source building system, but has the extra engineering challenge of fitting on the tiny footprint of a trailer. Each home will be around 125 square feet.

After the two prototypes are ready early next year, Guillen hopes to install dozens of them. First, the city will have to adjust some zoning laws to accommodate them.

"We want community support for whatever shape tiny houses and tiny-house villages might take in Oakland, so we don’t want to move too fast," says Guillen. "But other cities have figured out the practical planning and zoning elements involved, and the public has embraced them."

It's one small piece of a larger strategy to help reduce homelessness in Oakland. The city plans to acquire around 17,000 new affordable housing units over the next eight years. Guillen also wants to connect residents of the potential village with social services.

"My idea about a tiny-house village would hopefully be integrated with the city's homeless support services and our efforts to transition to permanent housing," he says. "Innovative approaches like tiny houses must also be aligned with efforts to secure sustained and substantial funding to create affordable housing and fight homelessness."

Laney College is currently designing two versions of the tiny house. One is a simple single sleeping room that they hope may be possible to produce for about $15,000. The other, with a kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeping loft, may cost $20,000.

When the prototypes are ready, the designers will deliver a USB with the digital files to the City of Oakland. It's something that the designers hope Oakland may decide to share with other cities that are looking for a quicker, easier way to build tiny houses.

"We can put all of the intellectual property into a USB," says Beesley. "That USB can be taken to anybody who has a CNC machine, and roughly 24 to 48 hours, cut out all of the parts for an entire structure."

The city expects that the first prototypes will be complete by January 2017.

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Centre approves Rs 658 crore for 5 major infra projects in Delhi

The urban development ministry has approved an assistance of Rs 658 crore for five major infrastructure projects aimed at easing key stretches in Delhi. While four will be new projects, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 85 crore for completion of the stalled grade separator at Rani Jhansi Road, a project that had started in 2006. The new projects are a flyover and underpass connecting Mahipalpur, Aerocity, IGI Airport and NH-8; a skywalk and foot over bridge (FOB) near ITO; a flyover-cum-rail over bridge near Narela for providing direct access from NH-1 to the Bawana Industrial Complex and widening of the road near Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Nigambodh ghat. The central aid comes from the urban development fund, which DDA collects as onetime charge for conversion of leasehold properties to freehold. This is used for social and physical infrastructure projects. Union Urban Development Minister, M Venkaiah Naidu said, with the central assistance, the 1.6-km Rani Jhansi Road grade separator can be completed in a year. The cost of the flyover, from Filmistan to Boulevard Road, was Rs 200 crore. Work on the project had come to a standstill after the North MCD had spent Rs 115 crore on it.
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National Buildings Construction Corporation

State-run National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) is expecting three projects for redevelopment of the government properties worth about Rs 25,000 crore in the national capital.

The company’s order book as of now stands at over Rs 35,000 crore and is likely to touch Rs Rs 60,000 crore in next few months, NBCC CMD Anoop Mittal said. Over the last year, NBCC has secured some big-ticket projects including redevelopment of exhibition centre of ITPO for Rs 2,149 crore and AIIMS redevelopment works project worth Rs 5,828 crore.

“…very soon NBCC is likely to add to its kitty, three more works of redevelopment of government properties valuing approximately Rs 25,000 crore and located at Netaji Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Nauraji Nagar in Delhi,” Mittal said. The company has reported 6% increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 142 crore and 40% rise in income from operations to Rs 2,313.38 crore in the fourth quarter of last fiscal. For the entire 2015-16 financial year, NBCC’s net profit increased to Rs 311 crore and income from operations rose to Rs 5,838 crore.

NBCC is under the administrative control of Ministry of Urban Development and is present in three main segments — PMC, Real Estate Development and EPC contracting.

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The UK's biggest housebuilder, Barratt, could slow its pace of construction in the light of Brexit.

The builder told the Reuters news agency it would also review its commitments of land on which to build, after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Despite increasing new property completions by 5% last year, it said there was greater uncertainty facing the UK economy.

Mortgage lenders also said there would be uncertainty among potential buyers.

"Brexit, and its likely effect on the market, is a question to which the answer will not immediately be forthcoming," said Paul Smee, director general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

"Lenders will continue to be open for business as usual, but lending volumes may be affected by uncertain consumer sentiment."

The CML said that the number of mortgages advanced to first-time buyers, movers and buy-to-let investors rose in May compared with the previous month.

"There was a sense of the market regaining some equilibrium in May," Mr Smee said, adding that lenders might be affected by the subsequent referendum result.

Barratt Developments said the impact of the vote would require a more long-term assessment.

"Following the EU referendum, we are mindful of the greater uncertainty now facing the UK economy. Consequently, the immediate outlook for our industry is less clear and it is too early to draw any conclusions regarding market conditions from the short trading period since the referendum," it said.

"We had contingency plans in place and we have taken appropriate measures to reduce our risk, such as reassessing land approvals, as we continue to monitor the market."

Speaking to Reuters, Barratt chief executive David Thomas said: "We would look at future land commitments, our current commitments, we would also look at our build programmes and the extent to which we should slow down our build programmes."

Since the vote, Barratt's share price has fallen more than 25% - alongside falls among other housebuilders - as economists warn of a slowdown that could end up hitting the housing market.

However, it said its annual pre-tax profit would increase to £680m from £565.5m last year, and that its average selling price had risen by 10.6% to £260,000.

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4.10 crore Rupees estimated cost of Swarnim Jayanti Yojana.

Vadodara: After row over construction works at Kamatibaug garden, a new controversy has erupted over construction activities at Badamdi Baug garden.

Congress councilor Ami Ravat has served a legal notice to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) municipal commissioner demanding that construction of conference hall and civic utility centre at Badamdi Baug be immediately stopped.

VMC's standing committee has approved the construction of conference hall and civic utility centre at the garden at an estimated cost of Rs 4.10 crore under Swarnim Jayanti Yojana.

Alleging that the construction will convert the neglected garden into a concrete jungle, Ravat has demanded that the green space in heart of the city be kept as garden.

"VMC is already constructing conference halls in zonal offices and offices which are very near to the garden. What is the need of a new video conference hall and that too at the cost of a garden," said Ravat, adding that the garden already has an office of Registration of Birth and Death below an art gallery which can be used as a civic utility centre.

She argued that even legally such construction cannot be permitted as only ten percent space in a garden can be used for construction purpose which is already utilized at Badamdi Baug.

"As per section 39 of General Development Control Regulation, any construction activity even by government needs approval from concerned town planning department, which is not taken in this case," she said, adding that the proposed site of 5,000 square feet plus 1,500 square feet for parking and margins will literally occupy the entire garden.

Builders against seeking floor-wise plan clearance in Noida India

The Confederation of real estate developers’ association of India (Credai) is opposing the Greater Noida authority’s decision to have builders get floor-wise clearance for construction plans by a team from Indian Institute of

Technology (IIT), Delhi. At a recent board meeting, Credai members discussed the issue and said that such orders will delay construction, eventually leading to delay in possession of flats.

Possession of a number of residential units in Greater Noida has already been delayed. The builders said they are trying not to delay possessions further.

“The authority has its own employees to check construction work, but if we keep going to the IIT Delhi team with construction plans for each floor, too much time will be wasted. Every builder is trying to hand over possession as soon as possible. Such rules will delay possessions and homebuyers and builders will suffer,” said a Credai spokesperson.

The builders have now sought time from the authority to discuss the issue.

“There are more than two lakh under-construction residential units in Greater Noida and Greater Noida West localities. Getting clearance for floor-wise plan will take too much time,” the spokesperson added.

The authority, however, maintained that the builders will have to follow the new order as it is for homebuyers’ benefit.

“A third-party inspection will not only bring in transparency, but also ensure that the builders are not violating any rules. There cannot be a better third party than IIT-Delhi. I think the builders should understand the need of the hour,” said PC Gupta, additional chief executive officer (ACEO), Greater Noida.

The Greater Noida authority had on June 25 given the order for floor-wise clearance of construction plan. The safety certification will be based on the National Building Code of India for builders.

“The entire region of Greater Noida falls under Seismic Zone 4, which means it is prone to earthquakes. That is the major reason for imposing the new floor-wise clearance rule,” said Gupta.

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Building plan a must at worksites

Trichy: Did you know that it is mandatory for builders to put up display boards giving details of the approved plan and permission details at construction sites? This is to enable buyers know that all rules are being adhered to by the real estate developer.

The Local Planning Authority recently sealed a multi-storey in K Abishekapuram and also imposed a fine on the builder for raising an extra floor without approval. This is one of several cases of deliberate violations which often go unnoticed till the end of construction.

"While a display board is visible during commencement of construction work, it is often found missing in the later stages," said B Hemanathan, president of a resident association is Srirangam. On most occasions, the boards are removed deliberately to hide deviation from the building plan, he said.

Seconding Hemanathan's view, secretary of Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, S Pushpavanam, who has been spearheading a legal battle against several commercial establishments which have violated building norms, said that display boards are not visible at many construction sites. He also urged the civic body to differentiate between commercial and residential areas in the city. The lack of such a regulation is also adding up to building violations, he said.

The boards are supposed to give details including the architect's name, planning permission number and the type of construction.

The lack of awareness among the public about display boards at construction sites is also allowing builders to get away with violations. This is reflected in the negligible number of complaints received by the civic body.

The meagre penalty imposed on builders is also letting them violate building regulations. "We collect 75 per square metre for residential and 150 for commercial building space as security deposit before the beginning of construction. The builder will forfeit the deposit if any deviation is found from the approved plan," said P Sivapatham, assistant executive engineer in Trichy Corporation Office, who also heads the Town Planning Department.

However, experts say that the amount forfeited may not amount to a big loss for a builder. They pointed out that the violations are facilitated by lack of stringent provisions in the Town and Country Planning Act.

A senior corporation official said, "Most of the times, a mere warning and a nominal fine is not enough to ensure that builders won't violate the norms again."

"We have been monitoring buildings across the city for violations, but there are hardly any norms to demolish buildings for such violations," added the official.
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Builders give EMI relaxation to lure buyers

Kochi: You might be searching for an under-construction property that costs Rs one crore. If the builder announces certain relaxations in equated monthly instalments (EMI) you would definitely be tempted to give it a try.

Advertisements like pay 25% now and pay the remaining 75% by the date of completion will grab your attention as the brochure also states that in case you avail a loan for the 75%, the builder will absorb the pre-EMI interest up to 9.5% till the date of completion.

You might view this as an opportunity to save money and consider it flexible as it allows you to begin repayment after getting possession of your new home.

"In such cases the buyer stands to benefit from the deal. Though the builder has not brought down the value of the project, the buyer will get gains in terms of interest," said architect S Gopakumar. He said builders make such desperate moves when they are keen to sell out apartments.

When there is a pre-EMI option, the buyer will have to pay only the interest on the loan that will be disbursed at each stage of construction. The real EMI payment will start after the buyer gets possession of the house.

But, representatives of Credai warn that 'there is no free lunch' and the buyers should check out the details before taking such deals. They say that market conditions would sometimes force builders to reduce the price. Credai said that reputed builders would generally hesitate to slash prices. "There are some hidden practices. They might opt to hike the price and provide offers or stick to the existing price and announce discounts," said a Credai representative.

Consumer forum president Cherian Kuriakose said that the customer should thoroughly go through the agreement between the builder and their bankers before going for a loan as it could provide more insights into offers and discounts. "In case the builder fails to complete the project on time, the buyer will end up paying interest for a longer period. Though the repayment begins only after getting possession you will later realize that whatever amount you have paid so far would not have helped in reducing your principal amount or the tenure of payment," he said.

The forum also wanted customer to get a better understanding of tax benefits and issuance of interest certificates while opting for a pre-EMI in under construction stage.

Apart from the relaxations in EMI, builders also have come up with offers like undertaking interior decoration works. A city-based builder said that for the buyers of a 3BHK in one of their projects in Fort Kochi they have offered to undertake interior works worth Rs 5 lakh and for 2BHK they would undertake works worth Rs 3 lakh. "The builders does not want to publicise discounts. If you go for a negotiation instead of sticking to the offer they might be willing to sell the apartment at a reduced rate," said the Credai representative.
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