India Construction Cost Estimator

Estimate the construction cost for a residential project in a major Indian city. Pick a city to load indicative starting rates, replace them with your local rates, enter your floor and wall areas, and get a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) with materials, labour, wastage and GST that you can download as CSV or PDF.

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India construction cost estimator

Planning aid, not a building-cost guarantee. Every bundled rate is an indicative starting value with its date; most have no published source. Enter your local rates under "Your rates" (kept in this browser) and verify all figures with local suppliers before budgeting.

Project name (for the BOQ download)

Leave blank to skip.

City / rate table

Indicative starting rates. Enter your local rates under "Your rates".

Floor area per floor (carpet)

Measured inside the walls. Use the Floor Area calculator.

Wall area per floor (gross)

Perimeter × wall height, before openings. The Net Wall Area calculator shows it as gross wall area.

Interior doors

Windows

Floors (including ground)

Construction standard

Scales the bundled finishing rates (0.7, 1.0, 1.4). Your own rates are used as typed.

Wastage allowance on materials (%)

Typical 5 %. Complex designs may need more.

GST / tax (%)

Applied to the total. Use your actual rate.

Plumbing: water supply, drainage and sanitary (% of building work) (%)

CPWD Plinth Area Rates (2012), item 3.1: 12 % of building cost for houses and flats. Replaces the plumber days line. Enter 0 or leave blank to leave plumbing out.

RCC columns and earthwork

Your rates

Assumptions

Change any value to match your product or local rules.

Average wall thickness (mm)

Basis: Typical brick wall: 230 mm. Change for block or framed construction.

Equipment / plant charge (%)

Basis: Starting value from the RCC rate-analysis workbook (sheet 3). Set 0 if it is already in your rates.

Contractor profit and overheads (%)

Basis: Starting value from the RCC rate-analysis workbook (sheet 3), struck after the equipment charge. Set 0 if you buy materials and hire labour yourself.

Material cost: 335,778.00 ₹
Labour cost: 200,876.00 ₹
Estimated total: 816,642.00 ₹
Cost per sq ft: 1,012.00 ₹/sq ft

Estimated ₹8,16,642 at indicative Hyderabad rates (set 2026-09), standard standard, 1 floor(s).

Cost breakdown

Materials: ₹3,35,778
Labour: ₹2,00,876
Wastage (5% on materials): ₹16,789
Plumbing, water supply and sanitary (12%): ₹66,413
Equipment (1.5%): ₹9,298
Contractor profit and overheads (10%): ₹62,915
GST / tax (18%): ₹1,24,572
Total: ₹8,16,642
Per sq ft: ₹1,012

Bill of Quantities

Rates: Hyderabad, Telangana. Bundled rates set 2026-09, indicative: enter your local rates under "Your rates".

Item	Qty	Unit	Rate (₹)	Rate basis	Amount (₹)	Wastage (₹)	Total (₹)
Masonry
Bricks	17.25	1000 nos	7,000	Indicative: enter your local rate	1,20,750	6,038	1,26,788
Cement for masonry (1:6)	44	bag	480	Indicative: enter your local rate	21,120	1,056	22,176
Coarse sand	321	cft	55	Indicative: enter your local rate	17,655	883	18,538
Reinforcement steel	104	kg	72	Indicative: enter your local rate	7,488	374	7,862
Plaster
Cement for plaster (12 mm, 1:6)	20	bag	480	Indicative: enter your local rate	9,600	480	10,080
Plastering labour	3,229	sq ft	18	Indicative: enter your local rate	58,122		58,122
Painting
Primer	41	litre	180	Indicative: enter your local rate	7,380	369	7,749
Interior emulsion paint	50	litre	280	Indicative: enter your local rate	14,000	700	14,700
Painting labour	6,458	sq ft	8	Indicative: enter your local rate	51,664		51,664
Flooring
Vitrified tile	807	sq ft	95	Indicative: enter your local rate	76,665	3,833	80,498
Flooring labour	807	sq ft	20	Indicative: enter your local rate	16,140		16,140
Doors and windows
Door frames	68	rft	320	Indicative: enter your local rate	21,760	1,088	22,848
Door shutters	80	sq ft	240	Indicative: enter your local rate	19,200	960	20,160
Door fitting	4	door	2,500	Indicative: enter your local rate	10,000		10,000
UPVC windows	72	sq ft	280	Indicative: enter your local rate	20,160	1,008	21,168
Trades
Mason	81	day	750	Indicative: enter your local rate	60,750		60,750
Carpenter	5	day	700	Indicative: enter your local rate	3,500		3,500
Electrician	1	day	700	Indicative: enter your local rate	700		700
Plumbing
Internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations	12	% of building work	5,534.43	Indicative: CPWD Plinth Area Rates 2012, item 3.1: 12% of building cost (residential)	66,413		66,413
Subtotal (with wastage)							6,19,856
Equipment (1.5%)							9,298
Contractor profit and overheads (10%)							62,915
GST / tax (18%)							1,24,572
Total							₹8,16,642

How this was calculated

Wall volume = wall area × floors × wall thickness
Bricks = wall volume ÷ (0.2 × 0.1 × 0.1 m) = 500 per m³ (modular 190 × 90 × 90 mm brick, 10 mm joints)
Dry mortar = (wall volume − bricks × brick volume) × 1.33; cement = dry mortar ÷ 7 × 1440/50 ≈ 1.26 bags/m³ (1:6)
Sand = dry mortar × 6/7, in cft
Plaster area = wall area × 2 faces; plaster cement = area × 0.012 m × 1.33 ÷ 7 × 1440/50 ≈ 0.066 bags/m² (12 mm, 1:6)
Door frame = doors × (2 × 7 ft + 20 sq ft ÷ 7 ft) ≈ 16.9 rft each
Paint area = wall area × 2 faces × 2 coats
RCC (optional): concrete, steel, formwork and labour from the RCC schedule
Amount = quantity × rate (your rate, else the city rate)
Wastage = material amounts × wastage %
Plumbing (internal water supply, drainage and sanitary) = (amounts + wastage) × plumbing %; when it is on, the plumber days line is left out
Subtotal = amounts + wastage + plumbing
Equipment = subtotal × equipment %; profit = (subtotal + equipment) × profit %
Tax = (subtotal + equipment + profit) × tax %
Total = subtotal + equipment + profit + tax

Masonry: Bricks = 17.25 1000 nos × ₹7000 = ₹1,20,750
Masonry: Cement for masonry (1:6) = 44 bag × ₹480 = ₹21,120
Masonry: Coarse sand = 321 cft × ₹55 = ₹17,655
Masonry: Reinforcement steel = 104 kg × ₹72 = ₹7,488
Plaster: Cement for plaster (12 mm, 1:6) = 20 bag × ₹480 = ₹9,600
Plaster: Plastering labour = 3229 sq ft × ₹18 = ₹58,122
Painting: Primer = 41 litre × ₹180 = ₹7,380
Painting: Interior emulsion paint = 50 litre × ₹280 = ₹14,000
Painting: Painting labour = 6458 sq ft × ₹8 = ₹51,664
Flooring: Vitrified tile = 807 sq ft × ₹95 = ₹76,665
Flooring: Flooring labour = 807 sq ft × ₹20 = ₹16,140
Doors and windows: Door frames = 68 rft × ₹320 = ₹21,760
Doors and windows: Door shutters = 80 sq ft × ₹240 = ₹19,200
Doors and windows: Door fitting = 4 door × ₹2500 = ₹10,000
Doors and windows: UPVC windows = 72 sq ft × ₹280 = ₹20,160
Trades: Mason = 81 day × ₹750 = ₹60,750
Trades: Carpenter = 5 day × ₹700 = ₹3,500
Trades: Electrician = 1 day × ₹700 = ₹700
Plumbing: Internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations = 12% × ₹5,53,443 of building work above = ₹66,413

India construction cost estimator

Project name (for the BOQ download): not entered
City / rate table: hyderabad
Floor area per floor (carpet): 75
Wall area per floor (gross): 150
Interior doors: 4
Windows: 6
Floors (including ground): 1
Construction standard: standard
Wastage allowance on materials: 5 %
GST / tax: 18 %
Plumbing: water supply, drainage and sanitary (% of building work): 12 %
RCC columns and earthwork: no
Your rates:

Assumptions:
  Average wall thickness: 230 mm (Typical brick wall: 230 mm. Change for block or framed construction.)
  Equipment / plant charge: 1.5 % (Starting value from the RCC rate-analysis workbook (sheet 3). Set 0 if it is already in your rates.)
  Contractor profit and overheads: 10 % (Starting value from the RCC rate-analysis workbook (sheet 3), struck after the equipment charge. Set 0 if you buy materials and hire labour yourself.)

Results:
  Material cost: 335,778.00 ₹
  Labour cost: 200,876.00 ₹
  Estimated total: 816,642.00 ₹
  Cost per sq ft: 1,012.00 ₹/sq ft

How this was calculated:
  Masonry: Bricks = 17.25 1000 nos × ₹7000 = ₹1,20,750
  Masonry: Cement for masonry (1:6) = 44 bag × ₹480 = ₹21,120
  Masonry: Coarse sand = 321 cft × ₹55 = ₹17,655
  Masonry: Reinforcement steel = 104 kg × ₹72 = ₹7,488
  Plaster: Cement for plaster (12 mm, 1:6) = 20 bag × ₹480 = ₹9,600
  Plaster: Plastering labour = 3229 sq ft × ₹18 = ₹58,122
  Painting: Primer = 41 litre × ₹180 = ₹7,380
  Painting: Interior emulsion paint = 50 litre × ₹280 = ₹14,000
  Painting: Painting labour = 6458 sq ft × ₹8 = ₹51,664
  Flooring: Vitrified tile = 807 sq ft × ₹95 = ₹76,665
  Flooring: Flooring labour = 807 sq ft × ₹20 = ₹16,140
  Doors and windows: Door frames = 68 rft × ₹320 = ₹21,760
  Doors and windows: Door shutters = 80 sq ft × ₹240 = ₹19,200
  Doors and windows: Door fitting = 4 door × ₹2500 = ₹10,000
  Doors and windows: UPVC windows = 72 sq ft × ₹280 = ₹20,160
  Trades: Mason = 81 day × ₹750 = ₹60,750
  Trades: Carpenter = 5 day × ₹700 = ₹3,500
  Trades: Electrician = 1 day × ₹700 = ₹700
  Plumbing: Internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations = 12% × ₹5,53,443 of building work above = ₹66,413

Bill of Quantities

Rates: Hyderabad, Telangana. Bundled rates set 2026-09, indicative: enter your local rates under "Your rates".

Item	Qty	Unit	Rate (₹)	Rate basis	Amount (₹)	Wastage (₹)	Total (₹)
Masonry
Bricks	17.25	1000 nos	7,000	Indicative: enter your local rate	1,20,750	6,038	1,26,788
Cement for masonry (1:6)	44	bag	480	Indicative: enter your local rate	21,120	1,056	22,176
Coarse sand	321	cft	55	Indicative: enter your local rate	17,655	883	18,538
Reinforcement steel	104	kg	72	Indicative: enter your local rate	7,488	374	7,862
Plaster
Cement for plaster (12 mm, 1:6)	20	bag	480	Indicative: enter your local rate	9,600	480	10,080
Plastering labour	3,229	sq ft	18	Indicative: enter your local rate	58,122		58,122
Painting
Primer	41	litre	180	Indicative: enter your local rate	7,380	369	7,749
Interior emulsion paint	50	litre	280	Indicative: enter your local rate	14,000	700	14,700
Painting labour	6,458	sq ft	8	Indicative: enter your local rate	51,664		51,664
Flooring
Vitrified tile	807	sq ft	95	Indicative: enter your local rate	76,665	3,833	80,498
Flooring labour	807	sq ft	20	Indicative: enter your local rate	16,140		16,140
Doors and windows
Door frames	68	rft	320	Indicative: enter your local rate	21,760	1,088	22,848
Door shutters	80	sq ft	240	Indicative: enter your local rate	19,200	960	20,160
Door fitting	4	door	2,500	Indicative: enter your local rate	10,000		10,000
UPVC windows	72	sq ft	280	Indicative: enter your local rate	20,160	1,008	21,168
Trades
Mason	81	day	750	Indicative: enter your local rate	60,750		60,750
Carpenter	5	day	700	Indicative: enter your local rate	3,500		3,500
Electrician	1	day	700	Indicative: enter your local rate	700		700
Plumbing
Internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations	12	% of building work	5,534.43	Indicative: CPWD Plinth Area Rates 2012, item 3.1: 12% of building cost (residential)	66,413		66,413
Subtotal (with wastage)							6,19,856
Equipment (1.5%)							9,298
Contractor profit and overheads (10%)							62,915
GST / tax (18%)							1,24,572
Total							₹8,16,642

How to use this estimator

Start by selecting your city: the calculator loads indicative starting rates, each shown with the month it was set. Enter your carpet floor area and gross wall area per floor (you can measure these from the Floor Planner), then the number of doors, windows and floors. Choose a construction standard: basic, standard or good, which scales the bundled finishing rates.

The calculator builds a Bill of Quantities from your inputs: bricks, cement, sand and steel for the masonry; plaster, primer, paint and tiles for the finish; plus labour for masonry, carpentry and electrical work, and a plumbing line for water supply, drainage and sanitary work. You can add RCC columns, PCC and earthwork. Under "Your rates", replace any bundled rate with a quote you have; your inputs are kept in this browser. Wastage is added on materials, then the equipment charge and contractor profit, then GST. Download the BOQ as CSV or PDF.

What the estimate covers

The estimate covers the main construction activities for a typical load-bearing brick masonry house: masonry (bricks, cement, sand, steel), plastering, internal painting, vitrified tile flooring, doors, UPVC windows, trade labour (mason, carpenter, electrician) and a plumbing line for internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations. Optionally it adds RCC columns (concrete materials, reinforcement, formwork and labour), PCC, excavation and backfilling.

It does not cover footings, beams, slabs, structural design, outside water and sewer connections, electrical wiring and fixtures, carpentry beyond doors, or architectural and engineering fees.

Understanding the rate tables

Every bundled rate is an indicative starting value, not a quotation, and the table shows the month it was set. The RCC rates for Hyderabad come from the InsightHub Construction Estimation Master Toolkit. The other rates, and the city index that scales Hyderabad figures to the other cities, have no published source, and the table labels them "enter your local rate". Excavation and backfilling ship at zero: enter your rate per cubic metre.

Prices differ by brand, quality, quantity, season and bargaining power, so replace the bundled figures with your own quotes. The standard selector multiplies the bundled finishing rates by 0.7 (basic), 1.0 (standard) or 1.4 (good); rates you enter are used as typed.

Plumbing: water supply, drainage and sanitary

The plumbing line covers the pipes, fittings and labour for water supply, drainage and sanitary fittings inside the house. It is priced as a percentage of the building work the estimate has already priced (masonry, plaster, paint, flooring, doors, windows, trade labour and any RCC), because that is how the Central Public Works Department prices it. CPWD Plinth Area Rates 2012, item 3.1 "Internal water supply & sanitary installations", sets 12 % of the cost of the normal building for every type of residential quarter (4 % for offices and hospitals, 10 % for schools, 5 % for hostels). It is the latest Plinth Area Rates edition on the publications page of cpwd.gov.in.

The estimator starts at 12 %. If the other lines come to ₹10,00,000, plumbing adds ₹1,20,000, and the equipment charge, profit and GST then apply to it as to every other line. With the plumbing line on, the separate plumber days line is left out so the plumber is not counted twice. The estimate leaves out footings, slabs and the roof, so 12 % of a smaller base gives a lower plumbing figure than a full-house quote: if your plumber quotes per point or per bathroom, work out the percentage from the quote and enter it, or enter 0 to leave plumbing out.

Next steps

Treat the estimate as a starting point for talking to contractors, not as a final number. For a closer BOQ, draw your floor plan in the Floor Planner, measure the floor and wall areas there and enter them here. Then get a detailed quote for each line item and add a contingency (typically 5-10% of the total) for unforeseen costs.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this construction cost estimator?

It is a planning aid, not a quote. The result is based on indicative rate tables for your chosen city and simplified quantity assumptions. Actual costs depend on design complexity, material quality, contractor, location within the city, and market conditions. Always verify with local suppliers and contractors before budgeting.

Which cities are covered?

Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. Every table is indicative: the other cities are Hyderabad figures scaled by a city index that has no published source. Enter your own rates for the city you are building in.

What does cost per sq ft include?

The cost per sq ft shown includes materials, labour, the wastage allowance, the equipment charge (1.5 % by default), contractor profit and overheads (10 % by default, on the subtotal plus equipment) and GST, based on the quantities the calculator derives from your inputs. It covers superstructure and finishes for a typical residential build. It includes the plumbing line (12 % of the building work by default) but not land cost, foundation, electrical wiring or professional fees unless you add those separately.

Does this include plumbing?

Yes. A plumbing line for internal water supply, drainage and sanitary installations is added at 12 % of the building work the estimate prices, the figure CPWD Plinth Area Rates 2012 (item 3.1) give for residential buildings. Change the percentage to match your plumber's quote, or enter 0 to leave it out. Outside water and sewer connections are not included.

How do I measure my wall area accurately?

Use the Net Wall Area Calculator. Measure each wall's length and height and enter them; its gross wall area (before doors and windows) is the figure this estimator asks for. Enter one floor's wall area here: the estimator multiplies it by the number of floors. If your floors differ, enter their average.

Ready to plan your space?

It is free, runs in your browser and needs no account. Projects are saved privately on this device.

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