Construction Labour Rates in India 2026 (Per Day & Per Sq Ft)

By Vystra · 4 August 2026

Labour is usually 30–35% of a project's cost and the hardest part to control, because it's paid across many pay modes and changes weekly. Here are 2026 reference rates.

Daily wage rates (2026)

Metro cities (Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi) sit at the higher end.

Per-sq-ft and piece rates

Many jobs are paid by output, not by day:

• Brickwork — per sq ft or per cubic foot
• Plastering — per sq ft
• Tiling — per sq ft
• Electrical — per point
• Steel binding — per kg

Where labour cost leaks

The biggest leak is untracked attendance — a helper marked present who left early, or overtime that never gets reconciled. When attendance and wages are recorded daily, wage disputes and overpayment disappear.

Vystra handles 13 skill types and 6 pay modes (daily, per sq ft, per point, per piece, per kg, lumpsum), auto-calculates wages with overtime, and keeps a full worker registry — so your labour cost is always accurate, not a guess.

Frequently asked questions

What is the daily labour rate in construction in India?

In 2026, a mason earns around ₹800–₹1,200 per day, a helper ₹500–₹700, and skilled trades like bar benders and plumbers ₹900–₹1,400 per day, varying by city.

What is labour cost per sq ft for house construction?

Labour typically costs ₹300–₹450 per sq ft of built-up area for a full residential construction in India.

How do contractors pay construction labour?

Labour is paid daily, per sq ft, per piece, per point (electrical), per kg (steel work) or on lumpsum contract, depending on the trade and agreement.