How to Calculate Construction Cost Per Square Feet?

I have recently constructed my house in Bangalore. Knowing how to calculate cost of construction per sq ft depends on several factors like designs and planning, size of the property, material quality, labour, location, and so on. 

How to Calculate Building Cost Per Square Foot?

The basic formula for figuring out construction cost per square foot is cost of building = area of plot x construction rate per sq ft.

• Building expenses per square foot for civil work:

From my personal experience, in India, building a house for civil construction typically costs between Rs. 800 and Rs. 1,000 per square foot. 

1. The price of the building supplies or materials required for your foundation, plinth, wall, roof, boundary wall, parapet wall, plastering, flooring, and brickwork—such as cement, bricks, sand, gravel, and steel—is included in the cost of civil work. 

2. Contractor fees, shuttering fees, and labour charges are all included in the cost of civil work.

• Finishing costs per square foot for a house or apartment:

Examples of finishing work include windows, doors, woodwork, sanitary fittings, pop work, and grillwork. The finishing cost usually varies between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000 per square foot, depending on the amenities offered. Moreover, labour costs for carpentry, painting, polishing, tile masonry, electricianing, and plumbing are included in finishing charges.

I hope this helps you understand how to calculate house construction cost per square foot. 

• Plan the project carefully, taking into account the labour, materials, and design needs in order to minimise alterations during construction.

• Use value engineering to find building and design options that are more affordable.

• Select materials that are durable, locally available, and cost-effective.

• Use energy-efficient systems and design to save operating expenses over the long run.

Remember that construction costs per square foot are averages and can fluctuate based on individual project specifications and circumstances. Always consult with professionals to get the most accurate estimate on how to calculate cost of construction per sq ft for your project.

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The best way to find out how to calculate construction cost of building is to consult with a builder and share with him your plan. They can give you a precise estimate for different kinds of work like brickwork, civil work, electrical work, plumbing work and others. I can, however, help you get a precise idea about them here.

How to Calculate Per Square Foot Construction Cost?

It is simple to calculate the per-square-foot construction cost. You will have to start by determining the total cost of your project, including materials, labour, and any additional expenses. Next, you will need to measure the total area of the construction in square feet and then finally divide the total cost by the total square footage to get the per square foot cost.

For example: if your total construction cost is Rs 10,00,000 and the area is 2,000 sq ft, you just need to divide Rs 10,00,000 by 2,000 = Rs 500. 

• Now for brick wall construction (without RCC), it is around Rs 800 per sq ft

• Brick wall construction (with RCC) is around Rs 900 per sq ft

• Civil work will cost you Rs 1,500 per sq ft approx.

• Electrician/Plumber (material + labour) will be around Rs 90 to Rs 110 per sq ft

• And raw materials will be around Rs 7 lakh onwards.

So as per your area and requirements, you can find the construction cost yourself.

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As an architect, I can surely tell you that the construction rate per square feet with material can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location, the type of building, the quality of materials used, and the labor costs. But usually, this rate can range between Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 5,000 per square foot for a basic building with materials. Let me share with you a few of such factors that affect the construction rate.

• Location: The construction rate in major cities is typically higher than the construction rate in rural areas. This is because the cost of land and labor is higher in major cities.

• Type of building: The type of building also affects the construction rate. For example, a commercial building will typically cost more to build than a residential building.

• Quality of materials used: The quality of materials used also affects the construction rate. For example, using high-quality materials will increase the construction rate.

• Labour costs: This cost can vary depending on the location and the type of building. For example, the labour cost to build a commercial building will typically be higher than the labour cost to build a residential building.

How to calculate per square feet rate?

To calculate construction cost per square feet in India, you can use the following formula:

Cost per square feet = Total construction cost / Area of the building

The total construction cost includes the cost of materials, labor, and other expenses. The area of the building is measured in square feet.

For example, if the total construction cost is Rs. 30,00,000 and the area of the building is 2,000 square feet, then the construction cost per square feet will be:

Cost per square feet = 30,00,000 / 2,000 = Rs. 1500

This is how to calculate construction area.

I personally like homes that are individually designed and built. However, I know the fact that before we start, we should be aware of the procedure's direct and indirect estimate cost of construction per sq ft. An investment estimate would be helpful even though construction costs may vary between states depending on the site, labour costs, and raw material outlays. Continue reading to learn first floor construction cost per square feet.

Understanding residential construction cost per sq ft

To understand the average construction cost per square foot, it is important to understand the different stages of house construction. A house is constructed in many stages: RCC stage 1, Finishing stage 2, Decor stage 3, and Handover stage 4.

1. RCC stage 1: Excavation, Backfilling, Concreting (Beam-Columns, Slab, Lintel, Chajjas, Footing, Coping), Shattering, BBS, Curing, etc. are all included in the first RCC stage.

2. Finishing stage 2: Masonry, plaster, colour work, electrical wiring, plumbing, fabrication, glass work, door-window fittings, flooring, false ceiling, kitchen point, dedo tiles, etc. are all included in the second finishing stage.

3. Decor stage 3: The third stage of decoration includes curtains, plantation, furniture, wallpaper, and ornamental paints.

4. Handover stage 4: The testing of a home for habitation is known as the "handover stage," which also includes some minor or unfinished remodelling work.

Average price per square foot calculation

So, in India, estimate cost of construction per sq ft for a 1,000 square foot home can run you around Rs 12 lakh.

My husband had a plot, but during COVID, we were unable to get our dream house constructed on it. However, in 2022, we started the task of constructing our own house. We are from a middle-class family, so we tried to know what the construction rate per square feet with material to get an estimate of the total cost. We asked a builder about it and he explained that the cost will depend on several factors like-

• What type of materials we are using

• How thick walls we want

• The kind of style and architecture we were going to have and more

The construction rate per square feet without material will also be different, so we had to know both. In fact, I suggest you all do these calculations before starting with the construction. Let me share with you some insightful details on this topic.

To calculate the square feet for house construction, all you have to do is multiply the length and width of the area. For example, if the length and breadth of the plot are 40 feet by 30 feet respectively, the square footage will be 1200 sq ft. 

On average, I learned that the construction cost depends on the quantity of the construction as well. So here is the price list mentioned by the builder-

The basic idea of how to calculate house construction cost per square feet should be clear to you now. I hence believe it is better to ask some expert to give you an idea about the costs exactly. Without knowing the place, materials, quality and more aspects of construction, the construction rate per square feet with material cannot be determined. 

I know one easy and convenient way to calculate the construction cost per square foot. Because when I was constructing my house, I used this method to get the house construction cost. Let me guide you through.

How to calculate the construction rate per square feet?

Aakarshit’s method is also quite good to calculate the cost. But I know one of the easiest methods. It's incredibly easy to calculate the price per square foot of construction. You only need to know the project's overall construction cost and square footage.

Example: If you are constructing a building that is 1600 square feet in size and your construction budget is Rs.3,00,000. You would divide that amount by 1600 to get Rs.187.5 per square foot (300,000/1600=187.5). This is a standard approach to figuring out how much it costs to construct a house per square foot. This will help you with how to calculate house construction cost.

What is the average construction rate?

Construction costs are lower when building a house in an urban region. Where building supplies are conveniently accessible and priced competitively. On the other hand, the cost of construction will increase if you are building any project in a rural area. Where there is a shortage of building supplies and a requirement for transportation.

The typical price per square foot for construction is between Rs.800 and 1600.

It can occasionally be divided into the following groups:

• Low-Quality Construction: Rs.800 per square foot

• Normal Quality Construction: Rs.1100 per square foot

• Medium Quality Construction: Rs. 1300 per square foot

• High-Quality Construction: Rs.1600 per square foot.

Now you can calculate the construction cost per square foot.

1. Construction material: Cement, steel, sand, gravel, finishing, color, tiles, bricks, fittings, windows, doors, plumbing, sanitary, and electrical.
2. Labour cost
3. Engineer / architect fee
4. Contractor profit

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