1. Wrong retaining wall type
Cut-and-fill construction without engineered retaining fails within 2–3 monsoons. Insist on gabion + reinforced-concrete hybrid walls, weep holes at 1.2 m grid, and a certified structural design signed by a Zone-IV qualified engineer.
2. Ignoring seasonal drainage
The hill's natural drainage lines cannot be closed. A villa placed across a seasonal drain will flood within one monsoon. Storm-water design must precede foundation design.
3. Under-specified electrical
Grid supply in the hills is 3-phase but voltage swings 190–260 V. Provision a stabiliser, DG backup and solar hybrid on day one — retrofitting doubles the cost.
4. Wrong stone cladding
Poorly bonded dry-stack cladding falls off in monsoon. Use through-stone masonry or mechanically anchored cladding with stainless-steel dowels.
5. Skipping earthquake detailing
Uttarakhand sits in Zone IV / V. Every RCC frame must follow IS 13920 ductile detailing — extra rebar, closer stirrups at joints, and confirmed by third-party structural audit before roof casting.
