Construction costs high in last 5 years in Kerala
Thrissur: The cost of building a house has risen exponentially over the past five years. The fair price of land has increased by 10 per cent and the land tax has been doubled. With the increase in raw materials for construction, around Rs 8 lakh more is needed to build a 1,000 sq ft house.
In 2016, Rs 1,500 was cost per sq ft for construction. At present, it is Rs 2,300-2,500. Iron bars, iron pipes, wires, plumbing materials, paint, roof sheets, and bricks cost more than double now.
Though there was a dip in the prices in 2019, it started to increase again later. The decision to charge higher GST for cement blocks than other blocks will further increase the cost.
| Item | 2016 | 2019 | 2022 |
| Iron bar (kg) | Rs 38 | Rs 46 | Rs 97 |
| Cement (per sack) | 250 | 300 | 410 |
| Wire (for AC, per metre) | 21 | 27 | 45 |
| Wire (90 metre) | 330 | 480 | 750 |
| Steal tap | 450-600 | 700-800 | 1100-1200 |
| Rock sand (1 unit) | 3,500 | 4,200 | 5,350 |
| Labour charge (for experts) | 550-600 | 800-850 | 1,100-1,200 |
| Paint (litre) | 140-150 | 180-200 | 250-300 |
| Roofing sheet (sq ft) | 25 | 35 | 70 |
| Iron pipe (1 kg) | 40-45 | 60-65 | 105-107 |
| 25 mm PVC pipe (1 metre) | 20 | 25 | 45 |
| Cement block (1 peice) | 20-21 | 24-25 | 30-32 |
| Construction cost (1,000 sq ft) | 14-15 lakh | 17-18 lakh | 23-25 lakh |