House Construction Cost in Nepal: How to Estimate It
Nepal has no official per-square-foot construction rate; a 2.5-storey house on an 800 sq ft plot in Kathmandu cost about Rs 1.07 crore (Rs 10.7 million) in mid-2026, up from about Rs 90 lakh a year earlier, according to a builder quoted by the Kathmandu Post.
Last checked: 2083 Asoj 21 BS (7 Oct 2026)
What the numbers look like
These figures come from the Kathmandu Post report of 12 July 2026. They are one builder's and one agency's numbers, not a price list.
- Daily wages: about Rs 1,200 for unskilled and Rs 2,000 for skilled labour (the same builder).
- Bricks: Rs 13 per brick off-season to Rs 15 at the peak (Federation of Nepal Brick Industries).
- Year-on-year price change: bricks +13.41%, cement +1.30%, sand +1.02% (National Statistics Office).
Why there is no single rate
Cost varies by location and design, and material and labour prices move through the year. A rate quoted for another house or another district can mislead, so treat any single per-square-foot figure with care.
How to estimate your own house
Work from quantities, not from a rate per square foot:
- Estimate the quantities: cement, rod (steel), bricks, sand, aggregate and labour days.
- Multiply each quantity by your district's rate.
- Add the lines up and compare the total with builders' quotes.
Use the district rate files in Downloads for rates, the Materials & Market news section for recent price moves, and the steel and concrete tools for quantities.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to build a house in Nepal?
- It depends on location and design. As one example, a 2.5-storey house on an 800 sq ft plot in Kathmandu cost about Rs 1.07 crore in mid-2026, per a builder quoted by the Kathmandu Post.
- Is there an official construction rate per square foot?
- No. Nepal has no official per-square-foot construction rate. Estimate from quantities and your district's material and labour rates.
- Where can I find district rates?
- In the district rate files in Downloads. Rates for your district are what to multiply your quantities by.
Related tools and pages
Sources
Last checked: 2083 Asoj 21 BS (7 Oct 2026)