Factors like soil type and soil-bearing capacity should be primarily checked before purchasing a plot for residential construction. While loose or clayey soils may need special foundation designs to ensure good construction quality, sandy or gravelly soils may require additional compaction or reinforcement, and as such, the soil condition should be carefully assessed before purchasing it. This is precisely why, whether one plans to buy a CMDA approved plot for sale in Chennai or a plot in any other city, a soil test is a mandatory requirement.