Owning a home is a dream of every family. That said, it is becoming increasingly difficult as real estate prices skyrocket over time. Add to that the confusion, so many choices bring. There are many costs associated with either buying or building a home that the nitty-gritty often goes ignored. A house construction cost calculator comes in very handy in these situations.
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While reading this post, readers will understand the factors that determine the house construction cost. It is very important to comprehend the workings and go-arounds of potential homeowners’ expenses. Additionally, readers will also learn about an average estimate that is associated with building a home and how to keep them in check.
What is a House Construction Cost Calculator?
When it comes to calling a place home, many people generally gravitate towards the flat complexes or gated societies that are coming up every day. However, some of the top real estate companies have constructed amazing and unique townships all over India. That said, living in a gated or co-living space isn’t something for everyone.
Read: A Complete Guide to Greater Noida Authority Housing Scheme 2024
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These properties might have the best and most convenient amenities like piped gas, swimming pools, amphitheatres, etc. But they are not customised as per a single resident. Instead, they are made with a generalised idea in mind.
That’s where building one’s own home comes into the picture. Some people do love an independent home way more than living in a crowded society. Of course, this comes with its fair share of costs, but things aren’t that different at the end of the day. Sure, you may not have all the amenities like the society nearby, but what you have is purely customised as per your liking.
A building cost estimator is very helpful for people who want to understand how all their funds are being used. Of course, one could just pay the dues and wait for the home to get constructed by architects and contractors. But getting involved in the nascent stages results in a well-built home that everyone can love. Individuals can hammer out complaints before they become permanent issues.
How to Use a Building Cost Estimator?
Nowadays, thanks to the internet, families wanting to build a home can use specially designed calculators to understand the detailed cost. This includes calculating the estimate for all the major components like cement, sand, steel, etc.
We will be using one of the calculators freely available on the internet for this example.
Most calculators have the same basic functions like the one displayed above. Here’s what you need to do to figure out your construction cost.
- Choose a type of location from the Location drop-down menu. It will have options like Metro, Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural.
- In the next Area under construction field, enter the land area in either sq feet or sq metre.
- Click Calculate.
If an individual wants to build a 1000 sq ft home in an urban location, the rough cost will come up to be somewhere around ₹19,60,000 – ₹20,40,000. However, this is an approximation using the average rates. The exact figure would depend on the design, location and many other things.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About Land Measurement Units in India
Components of the Pre-Construction Stage
There is a pre- and post-construction stage for every build. In this instance, the pre-construction elements include the architect’s design fees and a bore well that total up to be ₹1,40,000.
The design element deals with making a floor plan as per one’s needs. It is a blueprint of the house featuring all the rooms, doors and windows with accurate measurements. However, a borewell is an additional element that a family may or not go for, considering the location.
Components of the Construction Stage
Between the pre and post lies the construction stage. This includes the cost of raw materials, excavation, electrical and plumbing work, etc.
Every house construction cost calculator provides details pertaining to raw materials. This is where the bulk of the expenses are incurred. This particular calculator points out many components and lists the prices accordingly. So to build a 1000 sq ft home in urban India, you would need to spend:
- ₹60,000 on Marking/Excavation
- ₹80,000 on Sand
- ₹20,000 on Water
- ₹80,000 on Steel/Reinforcement
- ₹1,80,000 on Bricks
- ₹1,00,000 on Stone Aggregates
- ₹1,80,000 on the Concrete Contractor
- ₹60,000 on Formwork/Framework
- ₹1,40,000 on Plumbing and Sanitation
- ₹1,00,000 on Electrical Work
- ₹40,000 on Compound Wall/Door Entrance
- ₹40,000 on Soil
- ₹2,40,000 on Cement
All in all, this stage would cost ₹13,20,000.
Read: Property Rates in Chennai: Important Trends in Chennai in 2024
Components of the Post-Construction Stage
The post-construction stage in house construction cost pertains to elements like the fittings, painting and flooring.
In this particular example, the post-construction stage of building a 1000 sq ft home in urban India could cost ₹5,40,000 (approximate). This includes the prices for:
- Painting: ₹2,00,000
- Exterior Flooring: ₹1,20,000
- Doors and Windows: ₹60,000
- Miscellaneous: ₹1,60,000
Overall Expenditure Shared
Almost every calculator presents a chart or graph showing the percentage of costs incurred on every element. In this case the following data was revealed:
| Components | Budget share |
| Design fees | 4% |
| Marking/Excavation | 3% |
| Sand | 4% |
| Water | 1% |
| Steel/Reinforcement | 4% |
| Bricks | 9% |
| Stones | 5% |
| Concrete Contractor | 9% |
| Formwork/Framework | 3% |
| Borewell | 3% |
| Painting | 10% |
| Plumbing/Sanitation | 7% |
| Electrical Work | 5% |
| Exterior Flooring | 6% |
| Compound Wall/Door Entrance | 2% |
| Doors and Windows | 3% |
| Miscellaneous | 8% |
| Soil | 2% |
| Cement | 12% |
Average Cost of Constructing a House in India
When considering the average price of a home in India, many factors exist. Most of the expenses are made on raw materials and actually building the home. However, other aspects like design, laws, furniture, etc., also add to the total cost.
According to the house construction cost calculator we used earlier, building a 1000 sq ft home in an urban region in India would cost around 19-20 lacs. However, there are many things that factor into determining the cost. Let’s start with the quality of building materials. There are three broad classifications.
- A Class: Typical high-end homes use the best quality raw materials. In India, they would cost around ₹2000-₹4000 per sq foot. Hence, a 1000 sq ft home built using the best quality raw materials would cost somewhere around ₹20,00,000- ₹40,00,000.
- B Class: This class offers medium-quality of raw materials, which costs roughly ₹1500 per sq foot. As a result, a 1000 sq ft home built using B-class materials would cost ₹15,00,000
- C Class: Finally, there is the C class which uses the cheapest raw materials available. They generally cost between ₹900- ₹1,000 per sq foot, bringing up the total cost to ₹9,00,000- ₹10,00,000.
Other Factors Affecting the Cost of a Home
Apart from the classes of raw materials, some other expenses are incurred while building a home. They can be categorised as follows:
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1. Cost of hiring an Architect
One must make a proper floor plan in order to build a home. A floor plan is the blueprint of the house and is drawn up using technical knowledge. In layperson’s terms, it is a bird’s-eye-view of the house without the ceiling. It portrays all the rooms, doors, windows and additional elements with accurate dimensions. Then, the construction is carried out based on the blueprint.
To make a floor plan, one must employ an architect. They generally charge based on the level of design andplot size. Considering an average home which is 1000 sq ft large, the architectural fees would hover around ₹15,000- ₹20,000.
2. Cost of adhering to the Laws
There are various rules and regulations that apply to building a home. Therefore, this code must be used as a strict guideline while making the floor plan. Additionally, certain laws apply to certain types of land as well. For instance, some cities have made it mandatory to build a parking lot if a two-storey house is being constructed. That would imply more expenses.
3. Cost of hiring Civil staff
Apart from purchasing raw materials, homeowners also need to pay for the staff that will work towards completing the project. This includes a whole host of specialists like concrete workers, electricians, plumbers, etc.
4. Cost of Finishing the Home
A home completed by a contractor after partnering with electricians and plumbers still needs to be made habitable. Completion of the building stage implies that the structure is complete. So the cost of finishing is also added to the construction cost. This includes expenses incurred while fitting in the doors and windows, external electrical fittings, bath fittings, flooring, etc.
Only after considering all these additional factors can you determine the estimate of your home. However, the cost of purchasing the land has been omitted. Homeowners should also note that the price rises with the quality and number of additions they make.
How to Effectively Allocate Costs
Everyone wants their first home to be special and the stuff that dreams are made of. That said, none of us have an unlimited budget. Even the affluent have a price ceiling. So keeping that in mind, the budget is the first thing that needs to be decided.
Most homeowners decide on a budget by looking at their savings and income. Even though that is a good starting point, they should not stop there. Using the building cost calculator, they should see how close or far their budget actually is. Alternatively, finding out the cost per sq foot of building a house is also quite straightforward. Speaking to a few contractors can solve this.
Once a balance has been struck, homeowners must decide where to invest the most. For example, they could use the most funds towards building materials and ensure safe and future-proof construction. Alternatively, they could lessen the money spent on raw materials and opt for premium fittings and finish.
The best way to go around is to try visualising the kind of home you want. Then, sharing that vision with the contractor along with the budget will lend a clear picture as to whether it is possible or not.
After having an elaborate discussion with the contractor and architect, the construction cost will become much clearer. That said, having some wiggle room is always helpful in battling unpleasant surprises along the way. Additionally, having a contingency fund also helps out quite a lot. Homeowners can set aside 10% of their total budget as an emergency fund.
How to Reduce Construction Cost?
Building a home is one of the largest investments some people make in their lives. Hence, one must approach it with patience and logic. Unfortunately, real estate prices in India are shooting up daily, and affordability is becoming difficult. That said, there are some things individuals can keep in mind before making the commitment.
- Opting for raw materials locally really helps reduce the overall cost. The building stage takes the most amount of space in the budget. Hence, if individuals opt to source raw materials like bricks, cement, aggregate and others from local vendors, they can save a lot on logistical costs.
- One crucial point often overlooked is the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that building materials owe. It currently sits at an exorbitant 28%. Factoring this into one’s budget is key.
- While deliberating on the construction cost, individuals should consider making their homes sturdy by using reliable materials. This would be costlier than low-quality materials but, in turn, would strengthen the structure and drastically reduce maintenance and repair costs in the future.
- Alternatively, individuals could also opt to build greener homes. This would reduce energy bills by a lot and also help the environment.
- Consulting with multiple contractors goes without saying. Just like when buying a car, everyone likes to try out all the options for the best fit.
Building a home may be a very tedious process for the family, and it takes tremendous amounts of sacrifice and courage. That said, a patient and well-designed home are what everyone wants in the end. In the beginning, being nit-picky while selecting raw materials, contractors and fittings go a long way. However, it is not advisable to venture on this journey alone. The support of experts and professionals is always recommended. Getting Building estimation and costing just right takes time, and one should always tread carefully.
How to Select the Right Contractor?
While consulting multiple contractors, it is easy to lose one’s way. That said, there are certain parameters that can help individuals come out with the best-suited contractor for the job. They are:
- Credentials
A good contractor is an experienced one who has worked on multiple projects before. Therefore, it is always useful to take a look at them. This is their resume.
- Agreement on budget
While discussing ideas with a contractor, it is important to see eye to eye as far as the construction cost is concerned. Therefore, having a shared vision regarding price is very important.
- Open mind
Of course, contractors are more experienced when it comes to building homes, but that doesn’t mean they cannot apply certain ideas shared by the homeowner. Going ahead with a contractor that has an open mind is always helpful.
- Market rapport
Every contractor who has been working in a certain region develops a rapport with the local businesses. Speaking to vendors who deal in raw materials will lend useful insight into the contractor’s character.
- Contractual agreement
Working with a contractor who sticks to the guidelines mentioned in the contract is always nice, but even the homeowner should uphold some of the pointers shared by the building team. In India, it is common to agree on a labour contract verbally, but later on, there are always disputes. Therefore, entering into a written agreement with simple terms is always advisable. A contractor that disagrees is not the right one.
Contractors are the backbone of any home construction.
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This house construction cost calculator article has been written to inform you about the various factors that determine the cost of a home.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the most important thing to consider while building a home?
Ans. The first and most important thing you need to consider is the law pertaining to building homes in your area. Staying updated on that front is extremely important, as getting any minute detail wrong could result in high penalties and sometimes even demolition. Your architect should be able to get you caught up with the latest changes in rules and regulations.
Q2. What is the average time taken to complete a 1000 sq feet home?
Ans. Keeping the average Indian home in mind, if started by a regular team of city workers, it would take almost a year to complete. However, achieving this timeline is only possible with uninterrupted work without budget constraints.
Q3. What can the contractor do for me?
Ans. There are two types of contracts you can enter into.
The first is called a labour contract, where the contractor only supplies you with the labour force. You will have to get the raw materials yourself.
The second is called a material plus labour contract, where the contractor sees to the labour and sourcing of raw materials.
Q4.Which loan can I apply for while constructing my home?
Ans. Many banks offer Construction loans. These are specifically designed for individuals who are building their own homes. The interest rate on these loans generally varies from 6.5%-9.5%.
Q5. How do I calculate the estimate for building my home?
Ans. For the initial step speaking to a contractor and sharing your ideas and plot size would give you a rough figure. After this, you should consider using a building cost estimator. You can find many variants of these all over the internet, particularly on websites related to construction.
