7 Questions to Ask a Developer Before Booking a Flat
Booking a flat is a major financial decision. A modern design, attractive location, or flexible payment plan may get your attention, but none of these should replace proper due diligence.
Before paying booking money, buyers should understand exactly what they are purchasing, what the developer has committed to delivering, and whether the project documentation matches what is being marketed.
Here are seven practical questions worth asking a developer before booking a flat in Dhaka or elsewhere in Bangladesh.
1. Is the Land Ownership and Project Documentation Clear?
Start with the foundation of the entire project: the land.
Ask the developer who owns the land and under what arrangement the project is being developed. Depending on the project, the developer may own the land directly or be developing it through an agreement with the landowner.
Buyers should ask to review the relevant documentation and consider having important documents independently checked by a qualified property lawyer.
Questions worth asking include:
Who is the legal owner of the land?
Is the project being developed directly or under a joint-development agreement?
Are the ownership documents available for verification?
Is there any mortgage, dispute, claim, or other encumbrance affecting the property?
Do not rely only on brochures or verbal explanations when the investment involves a significant amount of money.
2. Does the Project Have the Necessary Approvals?
A professionally presented project does not automatically mean every approval is in place.
For projects within RAJUK's jurisdiction, buyers should ask about the approved building plan and other applicable permissions. The apartment being marketed should also correspond with the approved project plans.
RAJUK provides services and processes relating to plots, flats, transfers, possession, NOCs and related property documentation, making official documentation an important part of property due diligence.
Ask the developer:
Is the building plan approved?
Can I review the approved plan?
Does the advertised apartment match that plan?
Are the floor, unit and building specifications consistent with the approval?
Are any additional approvals still pending?
This question becomes particularly important for under-construction properties, because buyers may be committing money long before the project is completed.
3. What Exactly Is Included in the Apartment Price?
The advertised price is not always the same as the total amount a buyer eventually pays.
Before comparing two projects, ask for a written breakdown of the total purchase cost.
Clarify whether the quoted price includes or excludes:
Parking
Utility connection charges
Generator or backup power facilities
Common facilities
Registration-related expenses
Association or maintenance charges
Additional development charges
Applicable taxes or fees
Any other one-time payment
Also confirm how the apartment area is calculated.
A lower advertised price can become less attractive once parking, utilities and additional charges are included. Buyers should therefore compare the total acquisition cost, not just the headline apartment price.
If you are still comparing areas and trying to understand how location, project type and other factors affect apartment values, the property resources published by Baitun Group can provide additional context during your research.
4. What Is the Exact Handover Date?
“Coming soon” or “handover shortly” is not precise enough when you are investing your savings.
Ask for the expected handover date in writing.
Then go further.
Ask:
What happens if construction is delayed?
Does the agreement address delayed handover?
At what stage is construction now?
What major construction milestones remain?
When will buyers receive possession?
When should utilities and common facilities become operational?
The answers are especially important if you are buying the apartment for your own residence and currently paying rent elsewhere.
A project delayed by a year can affect your finances very differently from a project delivered according to schedule.
Where possible, visit the construction site rather than relying solely on rendered images or sales presentations.
5. What Specifications Will Actually Be Delivered?
A sample flat can create a strong impression, but your purchase decision should be based on written specifications.
Ask the developer for a detailed specification sheet covering major components such as:
Floor finishes
Doors and windows
Bathroom fittings
Kitchen specifications
Electrical fittings
Lift
Generator or backup power
Water supply system
Fire and safety provisions
Common spaces
Parking arrangement
Security facilities
Then ask an important follow-up question:
Can these specifications be changed by the developer?
If substitutions are possible, understand what the agreement allows.
This reduces the risk of expecting one standard during booking and receiving something materially different during handover.
6. What Is the Payment Schedule and What Happens If Plans Change?
Do not evaluate an apartment only by the booking amount.
Ask for the complete payment schedule before making a commitment.
Understand:
Booking amount
Down payment
Number of installments
Payment dates or construction milestones
Final payment
Late-payment conditions
Cancellation terms
Refund conditions
Transfer rules, where applicable
You should be able to answer one simple question before signing:
How much money will I need to pay, and when?
If the answer is unclear, the financial commitment is not yet clear enough.
Buyers using bank financing should also check early whether the project and their financial circumstances are compatible with their intended home-loan arrangement rather than assuming financing will automatically be available later.
7. Can I See the Developer's Previous Projects?
A developer's previous work can reveal information that a brochure cannot.
Ask for completed projects that you can physically visit.
When possible, look at:
Construction quality
Common-area condition
Building maintenance
Lift performance
Parking arrangement
Water management
Exterior condition
Whether promised facilities were delivered
You can also speak with existing apartment owners.
Useful questions include:
Was the project delivered close to the promised schedule?
Were there unexpected costs?
How did the developer handle problems after handover?
Were the delivered specifications consistent with what was promised?
How responsive was the developer after the sale?
This gives you another perspective beyond the sales team's presentation.
A developer's track record does not guarantee the outcome of a new project, but it gives buyers valuable evidence for evaluating reliability.
A Simple Rule: Verify Before You Pay
Property buying decisions are often emotional.
You may love the location.
Your family may like the layout.
The payment plan may look affordable.
But booking should come after verification, not before it.
Before paying a significant amount, make sure you understand:
Land → Approval → Price → Agreement → Specifications → Payment → Handover → Developer Track Record
If one of these areas is unclear, ask more questions.
A responsible developer should expect serious buyers to ask detailed questions.
Red Flags Buyers Should Not Ignore
Consider slowing down your decision if you encounter situations such as:
Important documents are repeatedly unavailable for review
Verbal promises are not reflected in writing
The advertised project appears different from approved information
Total costs remain unclear
Handover commitments are vague
Buyers are pressured to pay immediately to “secure today's price”
Major specifications are not documented
Questions about previous projects are avoided
One red flag does not automatically prove there is a problem, but it is a reason to investigate further before paying.
Final Thoughts
The right question before booking a flat is not simply:
“Do I like this apartment?”
A better question is:
“Have I verified enough information to make this decision confidently?”
Compare the location, documentation, developer track record, specifications, payment obligations and handover conditions before committing.
A few extra days spent checking a project can be far more valuable than making a rushed decision based on a brochure, discount or sales presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check first before booking a flat?
Start by verifying the project's land and legal documentation, relevant approvals, developer background, apartment specifications, total cost and purchase agreement.
Should I check the approved building plan?
Yes. For a property where approval is applicable, buyers should confirm that the project being marketed corresponds with the relevant approved plan and documentation.
Should I buy a flat based only on price per square foot?
No. Price per square foot is useful for comparison, but buyers should also consider location, usable layout, construction quality, parking, project status, documentation, developer track record and additional charges.
Is a verbal promise from a developer enough?
Important commitments relating to price, specifications, payment, handover and other purchase conditions should be clearly documented rather than relying only on verbal assurances.
Should I visit previous projects before booking?
When possible, yes. Completed projects can help you assess construction quality, maintenance, delivered facilities and the experiences of existing buyers.