RCC House Cost Calculator
Estimate the total RCC house construction cost from built-up area and quality tier (basic, standard, premium) with stage-wise breakdown.
Rate overrides (per ft²) — change the default rate for any tier to match a local quote.
How this works
The headline figure is a simple area-times-rate multiplier:
total = area_ft² × ratePerFt²[tier]
default rates (NPR / ft²): basic = 2200, standard = 2800, premium = 3500That total is then split into four release-tied stages on the standard South Asian residential split:
substructure = total × 0.25 (excavation, PCC, footings, plinth)
superstructure = total × 0.35 (columns, beams, slab, brickwork)
finishes = total × 0.25 (plaster, flooring, paint, doors)
services = total × 0.15 (plumbing, electrical, external)Stage weights sum to 1.0, so the breakdown always adds back to the headline total exactly.
Worked example
A 1,500 ft² home built to standard tier at the default rate of NPR 2,800 / ft²:
- Total =
1,500 × 2,800= NPR 42,00,000 - Substructure (25%) ≈ NPR 10,50,000
- Superstructure (35%) ≈ NPR 14,70,000
- Finishes (25%) ≈ NPR 10,50,000
- Services (15%) ≈ NPR 6,30,000
Pad the headline figure with a 10–15 percent contingency for site surprises (deeper footings, specification upgrades during finishes, material price spikes).
Sources
- Conventional South Asian RCC turnkey rate split (substructure / superstructure / finishes / services)
FAQ
What does the per-square-foot rate include?
The default rates bundle the full turnkey civil cost — RCC frame (footings, columns, beams, slab), brickwork, plastering, flooring, doors and windows, internal plumbing and electrical, and a basic external finish. Land cost, boundary wall, gate, landscaping, and statutory charges (stamp duty, registration, building permit) are excluded. If your contractor's quote excludes any of those, subtract them before comparing with this estimate.
What is the difference between basic, standard, and premium tiers?
Basic uses minimum-spec materials — single-coat exterior paint, ceramic tiles, MDF flush doors, conduit wiring with mid-range fittings, and standard fixtures. Standard upgrades to vitrified tiles, single laminate kitchen, branded sanitaryware, and a thicker external finish. Premium adds modular kitchens, designer doors, granite or marble in living areas, false ceilings, premium fittings, and external stone or texture finishes.
Why is the cost split into substructure, superstructure, finishes, and services?
Indian and Nepali contractors typically bill in four release-tied stages so the homeowner can release funds against verifiable site progress. Substructure (≈25%) covers excavation, PCC, footings, and plinth. Superstructure (≈35%) covers columns, beams, slab, and brickwork. Finishes (≈25%) covers plastering, flooring, painting, doors, and windows. Services (≈15%) covers plumbing, electrical, and external works.
Can I override the per-square-foot rate?
Yes. Each tier accepts a custom rate so you can plug in a quote from a local contractor or a published rate from a recent project nearby. The total and the stage breakdown both recalculate immediately. Use this when the default rate is stale or when a specific locality (e.g. Pokhara vs Kathmandu) has a meaningfully different market rate.
Does this estimate include GST or VAT?
No. The rates are quoted ex-tax, the way most contractors price labour-and-material packages in Nepal and India. Add the prevailing VAT (13% in Nepal) or GST (18% in India on under-construction supply, with input credit) on top of the headline figure to estimate the all-in cost.
How accurate is a per-square-foot estimate?
It is good enough for early budgeting and bank-loan eligibility — typically within ±15 percent of the final tendered quote. The main reasons for variance are soil conditions (raft footing vs isolated footings can swing substructure by 30 percent), specification creep during finishes, and material price volatility (cement, steel, and copper are the biggest movers). Always pad the headline figure with a 10–15 percent contingency.