PropChk envisions property inspection becoming a regulated practice in India, similar to the US model where 38 states require licensed inspectors.
Saurabh Tyagi, Co-Founder & CEO of PropChk
In India's rapidly evolving real estate landscape, where property purchases represent significant life investments, PropChk has emerged as a pioneering force in transforming how quality assurance is approached in residential and commercial properties. Through innovative technology and standardized processes, the company is setting new benchmarks in property inspection while addressing a critical gap in the real estate sector. In an insightful conversation, Saurabh Tyagi, Co-Founder & CEO of PropChk, shares his vision and journey in revolutionizing property inspection in India.
Q: Let's start at the beginning. What inspired you to establish PropChk, and how has your vision for tech-enabled home inspection evolved since its inception?
PropChk was established to address a critical gap in India's real estate market. The founders recognized that while buyers were concerned about timely delivery, quality inspection was overlooked despite properties being lifetime investments. Drawing inspiration from developed markets like the US, where 80% of property transactions involve home inspections, PropChk aimed to introduce professional quality checks before possession. The founder's background in development highlighted the disconnect between buyer excitement during purchase and satisfaction at delivery. Since its inception in January 2022, PropChk has expanded across major Indian cities, completing over 12,000 inspections, demonstrating strong market acceptance of their tech-enabled inspection approach.
Q: Your company has completed over 10,000 inspections across 300+ projects. What key insights have you gained about India's real estate market and construction quality standards through this extensive experience?
Through extensive experience, PropChk has identified that construction quality depends primarily on material quality and workmanship. Given the labor-intensive nature of construction, maintaining consistency is challenging. Even in brand-new properties, common issues include flooring defects, plumbing problems, leakages, dampness, and improper plastering. PropChk has developed a scientific approach to quality measurement, using an algorithm that calculates quality scores based on defect frequency and severity (cosmetic, minor, or major). The pan-India average quality score is currently around 79.8%, indicating significant room for improvement in construction standards.
Q: Let's delve into the technical aspects. Could you elaborate on the specific technologies and tools your engineers use during inspections? How do these enhance the accuracy and reliability of your assessments?
PropChk employs three key technologies for inspections:
- SNAGR: A paperless inspection app that enables comprehensive defect management, analysis, and quality tracking
- Digital Twin: Creates a 360-degree 3D digital replica of properties, allowing virtual walkthroughs with marked defects
- Smart Helmet: A safety helmet equipped with HD camera and 4G capabilities for live video feed and two-way communication with the command center These technologies enhance accuracy through standardized processes, enable remote expert consultation, and provide documented evidence of inspection findings.
Q: How do you envision the future of property inspection in India, and what role will PropChk play in shaping it?
PropChk envisions property inspection becoming a regulated practice in India, similar to the US model where 38 states require licensed inspectors. With India's population being four times that of the US, the market potential is significant. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) has already begun mandating third-party quality inspections, initially through incentives and eventually through enforcement. The future will likely see property inspection becoming mandatory for developers and evolving into a licensed profession, similar to structural engineers or architects, establishing quality assurance as a fundamental aspect of real estate development.
The journey of PropChk, as outlined by Saurabh Tyagi, exemplifies how technology-driven solutions can address fundamental challenges in traditional industries. As India's real estate sector continues to grow, the company's commitment to quality assurance through innovative inspection methods positions it as a key player in shaping the future of property delivery standards. With regulatory bodies like RERA recognizing the importance of third-party inspections, PropChk's model could become the blueprint for standardized property inspection practices across India, ultimately benefiting both developers and homebuyers through enhanced transparency and quality assurance.
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