Two common ways to pay
- Dihari (daily wage): you pay for each day worked. It suits small, uncertain jobs and repairs, but the total depends on how long it takes, so watch the days.
- Theka (contract): a fixed rate for the whole job, often by the square foot or per room. It suits clear jobs such as a wall, a floor or a plaster, but it only works if the job is described exactly.
What to agree and write down
- Exactly what work is included, for example plaster on both sides, curing, cleaning the rubbish, and who removes it.
- Who buys the material: cement, sand, bricks, tile and so on. If the mistri buys it, ask what brands and quantities; if you buy it, ask him how much is needed and keep the receipts.
- How the area will be measured, and by whom. Disagreements over measurement are a very common cause of arguments.
- Start date, finish date, and what happens if work stops for rain or for waiting on material.
Paying in steps
Pay in parts that match finished work, for example one part at the start, some as sections are completed, and the last part only after you have checked everything. Avoid paying everything early. Check the work yourself before each payment, look at corners, levels and finish, and write each payment down with the date. Where the work is large, ask a knowledgeable relative or friend to look at it with you. We do not give prices here because rates change with the city, the work and the material.