Choosing the wrong building materials is the silent reason many projects end up costing more than they should: budgets balloon, schedules slip and durability fades after only a short period of use. Whether you are renovating a shop, an apartment or an office, material selection is the decisive factor behind long-term quality and appearance. Here are the five most common mistakes — and how to fix them in practice.

1. Choosing materials on price alone

Chasing the lowest price while ignoring technical standards is the most common mistake of all. Cheap materials often fall short on durability, load-bearing capacity or moisture resistance, leading to cracked walls, water ingress and delaminating tiles after a short time.

  • The fix: assess overall quality, origin and supplier reputation rather than price alone. A slightly higher upfront investment saves considerable maintenance and repair cost down the line.

Chasing cheap building materials often leads to early damage

2. Not checking technical specifications

Many buyers judge by appearance or take the seller’s word without checking parameters such as compressive strength, fire resistance, acoustic or thermal insulation. The result is a material used for the wrong purpose — underperforming or, worse, unsafe.

  • The fix: request technical certificates from the supplier and consult an architect or engineer to select the right grade for the structure.

3. Using the wrong material for the job

Every material is manufactured for a purpose: waterproofing, load-bearing, acoustic insulation, heat resistance and so on. Choose wrongly and the building underperforms while its lifespan shortens.

  • The fix: be clear about what each area needs. Exterior tiles, for example, should be water-resistant and anti-slip; ceiling materials should prioritise thermal and acoustic insulation. See also engineered wood types for interiors to pick the right board core for each environment.

Checking technical specifications before selecting building materials

4. Skipping technical advice before buying

Selecting materials by gut feel, or on non-expert advice from a salesperson, invites mistakes — every project has its own structure and requirements.

  • The fix: always consult an architect, engineer or your contractor before purchasing. Do not hesitate to ask exactly how each material is used and what it can do, to avoid buying the wrong thing and wasting money.

5. Miscalculating quantities and contingency

Getting quantities wrong means either waste from over-ordering or work stoppages from shortfalls. Buying more later risks a different production batch — with visible colour and quality variation.

  • The fix: work closely with your design-build contractor on a detailed material estimate, and add roughly 5–10% contingency stock to avoid running short mid-construction.

A transparent bill of quantities (BOQ) is the single best defence against all five mistakes. Read more on effective waterproofing methods and popular wall cladding materials to choose correctly from the start.

AIC — material control from estimate to construction

AIC works to a single-point design-build model, with over 10 years in the trade (since 2016 under the predecessor Nhân Việt; AIC was founded in 2019) and two in-house factories (1,200 m² and 600 m²) — giving it direct control over material sourcing and fabrication. From a floor plan, AIC can produce a BOQ estimate within roughly 4 working hours, breaking down quantities and material grades so you avoid over- or under-buying; projects are handed over with a warranty of up to 24 months. See our apartment interior design and build service.

Frequently asked questions

Are more expensive building materials always better?

Not necessarily — but very cheap materials almost always carry durability and safety risks. Evaluate on total lifecycle cost, including maintenance and repairs, rather than purchase price alone, and match the material grade to each location.

How much material contingency should I allow?

Typically add around 5–10% for wastage and site adjustments. This prevents mid-project shortfalls and reduces the risk that a later top-up order comes from a different batch with mismatched colour.

How do I know whether a material meets technical standards?

Ask the supplier for the product’s specifications and technical certificates (compressive strength, fire resistance, acoustic and thermal insulation, etc.), then have an architect or engineer check them against the structural requirements of your project before you buy.