From Foundation to Finish: Essential Construction Thumb Rules for Tricity Houses

Building your own house in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali is a dream for many families. But as soon as the construction of the site begins, owners are left perplexed by the ‘terms of construction,’ ‘quantities,’ ‘opinions of carpenters,’ and ‘estimates of contractors,’ which continue to confuse them.

Building a home involves many decisions, and homeowners often rely on the experience of engineers, contractors, and site professionals to plan better and avoid surprises. These practical construction thumb rules are commonly used by experienced site engineers and help in understanding quantities, budgeting, and construction flow — from foundation work to final finishing.

Important Note: The thumb rules described below are generally observed in the construction of residential buildings in the region of Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali.

The structure is the backbone of your house. Money saved here wrongly can cause serious problems later.

Walls decide room sizes, privacy, and strength.

Brick Quantity

Bricks required: 8 – 10 bricks per sq.ft. (built-up area)
Example: 1,000 sq. ft. house → 8,000 – 10,000 bricks

This is for:

• External walls (9”)
• Internal walls (4.5”) combined

Cement for Brickwork

• 1 cement bag for 25–30 bricks

Good plastering improves paint life and wall strength.

Cement Thumb Rule

Plaster cement: 0.12 – 0.15 bags per sq.ft

This includes:

• Internal walls
• External walls

Flooring cost depends on tile quality, but quantity rules remain similar.

Tile Quantity

Tile area = actual area × 1.05
(5% extra for cutting and wastage)

Cement / Tile Adhesive

• Tile adhesive:
  4 – 5 kg per sq.ft
  OR
• Cement (traditional):
  0.08 bags per sq.ft

Painting is often underestimated but makes a big visual difference.

Paint Quantity

• Paint: 1 litre for 100 sq.ft (2 coats) or
• 0.01 litre per sq.ft

Wall Putty

• Putty: 1.2 – 1.5 kg per sq.ft

Good putty work reduces future repainting costs.

Plumbing problems are costly to fix later, so never compromise here.

Plumbing Cost Thumb Rule (Tricity)

• ₹150 – ₹250 per sq.ft

Includes:

• CPVC / UPVC pipes
• Concealed water lines
• Standard sanitary fittings

Plumbing Material (Approx.)

• Pipes: 0.6 – 0.8 kg per sq.ft

Electrical work must be safe, properly loaded, and future-ready.

Electrical Cost Thumb Rule

• ₹180 – ₹300 per sq.ft

Includes:

• Copper wiring
• Switch boards
• MCB / distribution board

Copper Wire Quantity

• 0.08 – 0.12 kg per sq.ft

Example: 1,000 sq.ft → 80 – 120 kg copper wire

While sizes vary – basic planning helps.

• Main door: 1
• Internal doors: 1 door per 100–120 sq.ft
• Windows: Minimum 1 per room

Modular Kitchen

• ₹1.5 – ₹3.5 lakh (standard Tricity home)

Granite Counter

• 18 – 20 kg per sq.ft

1. Never reduce steel to save money
2. Plumbing & electrical should never be cheap
3. Structure comes first; finishes can wait
4. Always follow approved drawings
5. Ask questions — it’s your house

• Steel: 4 kg / sq.ft
• Cement: 0.45 bags / sq.ft
• Bricks: 9 bricks / sq.ft
• Paint: 0.01 litre / sq.ft

Building a house is not something one does once in a lifetime. To discuss with contractors, knowledge of these thumb rules will help you communicate with confidence, overcome misunderstandings, and secure your investment. In case you are planning a home construction or house renovation in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, it is always a good practice to consult experienced professionals.

A well-built house doesn’t just appear beautiful but will also remain strong for several generations.