Key points
- Before pouring: ask the supervisor to sign off the rebar (grade, size, number, spacing and cover) against the drawings, and photograph it.
- No water is added to concrete on site; excess water is a main cause of cracking.
- Curing (wetting or covering) for 7 days at 10°C or above under the ACI 318 code, as summarised by the FHWA.
- Waterproofing under tiles is flood-tested before tiling, and adhesive coverage is at least 80% indoors and 95% in showers and exterior areas.
Written for:OwnerContractor
The supervising engineer is technically responsible for sign-off. But an owner who knows what to ask and when prevents many mistakes. This list does not make you an approval body; it helps you ask for the evidence (photo, record, certificate) at the right time.
General rule (practical advice): anything that will be covered later (rebar, services, waterproofing) is photographed and signed off before it is covered. After that, inspection means demolition.
1) Checkpoints by stage
| Stage | What to watch or request | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation and soil | The soil report, excavation level matching the design, and no standing water before the blinding pour | soil and foundations |
| Rebar before pouring | Grade (in ASTM A615, for example, Grade 40 [280], 60 [420], 80 [550] and 100 [690])1, size, number and spacing are set by the structural engineer and not substituted without approval, plus the concrete cover (spacers/chairs) that protects steel from rust. Ask for the mill certificate | rebar, rebar corrosion |
| Concrete pour | The truck ticket (class and time), no water added on site; excess water is a main cause of cracking2, and test samples taken | ready-mix concrete |
| Curing | Wetting or covering for 7 days at 10°C or above under the ACI 318 code, as summarised by the FHWA3; stopping and restarting does not complete the period (practical advice) | concrete basics |
| Blockwork | Manufacturer's test certificates showing block strength meets the ASTM C90 minimum (2,000 psi)4, dimensions, and straight walls | blocks |
| Services before closing up | Clear photos with a scale of every wall, ceiling and floor before plastering or boarding, and a pressure test of water pipes before closing (requested by the supervisor) | pipes, wires |
| Waterproofing | Photos of the membrane, and a flood test before tiling while watching the ceiling below | waterproofing under tiles, roof waterproofing |
| Tiling | Adhesive coverage at least 80% in dry interiors and 95% exterior and in showers5; ask for a random tile to be lifted during work | tile installation |
2) The quality file to keep
- The supervisor's sign-off records for each stage (especially rebar before pouring).
- Concrete tickets and sample test results.
- Manufacturer certificates for rebar, blocks and main materials. See the materials buying checklist.
- Photos of services and waterproofing before closing up, organised by room.
- Written warranties for waterproofing and equipment.
This file helps at handover, with any later claim, and when selling.
3) When to ask for work to stop and consult the supervisor
- Pouring without rebar sign-off.
- Adding water to concrete on site.
- Closing walls or ceilings before services are photographed.
- Tiling a bathroom before the flood test.
- Changing a material or size from the drawings without written approval.
The list is practical advice for owners; technical decisions and approval belong to the supervising engineer under the Saudi Building Code. See the building journey.
Sources
The number next to a statement points to its source in this list. Sources back the general information; anything marked “practical advice” is editorial experience, not a quoted source. Anything that affects safety, structural design or electrical installations needs a licensed professional, and in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code.
- 1ASTM A615/A615M — Deformed and Plain Carbon-Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement — ASTM International
- 2CIP 4 — Cracking Concrete Surfaces — National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)
- 3Guide for Curing of Portland Cement Concrete Pavements — U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- 4What is the Minimum Required Compressive Strength for Concrete Masonry? (ASTM C90) — Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA)
- 5Never Assume You Have Sufficient Mortar Coverage. Check It. — Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF)
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This guide is for general information and planning, based on standards and technical guides. Standards are revised periodically; in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code and the instructions of the competent authorities. For design and execution, use a licensed engineer or technician. Found an error? Tell us.