Rate of painting work per square meter in Nepal

Overview

 

Paints and their specifications in brief:

Paint is fundamentally a mixture of three major components: pigments, binders, and liquids with additives, where each unique component has specific roles. It is applied over the solid surface and forms a thin layer on drying that has both decorative and protective attributes. Pigment provides color, binders hold the pigments to adhere to the surface, and liquids with additives carry the pigment and binders. Additives also avoid defects like coagulation and bubble formation. Paints can be applied directly over a primer coat on a surface, or putty work can be performed for smooth finishing. We have already placed our detailed rate analysis blog on wall putty work; you can check it out at: https://www.ieccc.com.np/2024/07/rate-of-wall-putty-work-per-square.html.

 

The painting work is generally carried out in the following steps:

• Wall putty and sanding work (optional for smooth finishing)
• One or two coats of primer work
• Painting works

 

There are wide varieties of paints available in the Nepali market under the names of different manufacturers. Here we are dealing with three major paints in general practice:

1. Washable distemper paints

It’s a conventional paint that's generally water-based and mostly used for interior work. Distemper comes in two variants: washable and non-washable. As the name suggests, washable distemper paint can be cleaned with water, whereas non-washable paint can't be cleaned. One of the major drawbacks of distemper paint is that it's prone to peeling off, especially in damp areas. At the same time, it comes under budget and is eco-friendly.

2. Plastic emulsion paints

It's the most popular paint in recent days in the Nepali market for interior wall and ceiling paints. Unlike distemper paint, it's less likely to fade and peel off over time. Also, it has better coverage than distemper paint. Despite their durability, emulsion paints are not as eco-friendly as distemper paints. Also, the cost of emulsion over distemper paint is high.

3. Weathercoat paint

The weather coat is acrylic emulsion paint. As the name suggests, it's applied to exterior surfaces as it provides better water resistance and is also resistant to algae and fungi attack.

 

Codes we follow for our analysis purposes:

• Kathmandu district rate: 080/81
• DUDBC specifications

Download link for the code: https://www.ieccc.com.np/p/downloads.html

 

Calculations

Consider the surface area of 100 square meters.

Note: When color coverage is not provided, we can use the thumb rule, i.e., 1 ltr. of color has a coverage area of 70 to 90 sq. ft. (70 sq. ft. for distemper and 90 sq. ft. for emulsion).

Material estimate as per DUDBC norms:

Primer: 8 ltr.

Washable distemper paint: 16 ltr. (DUDBC code)

Plastic emulsion paint: 11.96 ltr. (taking 12 ltr. from the thumb rule)

Weather coat paint: 12 ltr. (same as emulsion paint)

 

Material rate as specified in the Kathmandu district rate: 080/81

Primer: 8 ltr. at 253 = Rs. 2024.00

Distemper paint: 16 ltr. at 231 = Rs. 3696.00

Plastic emulsion paint: 12 ltr. at 544 = Rs. 6528

Weather coat paint: 12 ltr. at 536 = Rs. 6432

 

Materials cost for:

Washable distemper paints: 2024.00 + 3696.00 = Rs. 5720.00

Plastic emulsion paint: 2024.00 + 6528 = Rs. 8552.00

Weather coat paint: 2024.00 + 6432 = Rs. 8456.00

 

Workers required as per DUDBC and rate as per Kathmandu district rate: 080/81

Skilled workers: 5.8 at 1200 = Rs. 6960.00

Unskilled workers: 5.8 at 900 = Rs. 5220.00

Total worker cost: 6960.00 + 5220.00 = Rs. 12180.00

 

Cost of tools and plants used

Tools and plants: 3% of unskilled workers = 3% of 5220.00 = Rs. 156.60

 

Total cost: materials + workers + tools and plants

Total cost for:

Washable distemper paint: 5720.00 + 12180.00 + 156.60 = Rs. 18056.60

Plastic emulsion paint: 8552.00 + 12180.00 + 156.60 = Rs. 20888.60

Weather coat paint: 8456.00 + 12180.00 + 156.60 = Rs. 20792.60

 

Adding 15% of the contractor's overhead and profit

Washable distemper paint: 15% of 18056.60 = Rs. 2708.49

Plastic emulsion paint: 15% of 20888.60 = Rs. 3133.29

Weather coat paint: 15% of 20792.60 = Rs. 3118.89

 

Total cost of two coats of paint over one coat of primer for 100 sq. m.:

Washable distemper paint: 18056.60 + 2708.49 = Rs. 20765.09

Plastic emulsion paint: 20888.60 + 3133.29 = Rs. 24021.89

Weather coat paint: 20792.60 + 3118.89 = Rs. 23911.49

 

Total cost of two coats of paint over one coat of primer per square meter:

Washable distemper paint: 20765.09/100 = Rs. 207.65

Plastic emulsion paint: 24021.89/100 = Rs. 240.22

Weather coat paint: 23911.49/100 = Rs. 239.15

 

Summarizing the rate analysis

Case 1: Washable distemper paint

2 coats of washable distemper paint over one coat of primer for a 100-square-meter surface
Description	Type	Unit	Quantity	Rate	Amount	Remarks
Workers	Skilled	MDay	5.80	1200.00	6960.00
	Unskilled	MDay	5.80	900.00	5220.00
Materials	Washable distemper paint	Ltr.	12.00	231.00	3696.00
	Primer	Ltr.	8.00	253.00	2024.00
Equipment's cost is 3% of unskilled workers cost.					156.60
Sub-Total					18056.60
Contractor's overhead and profit at 15%					2708.49
Total cost per 100 sq. m. of washable distemper painting work					20765.09
Cost per square meter of washable distemper painting work					207.65

In words: Rs. two hundred seven and sixty-five paisa only.

 

Case 2: Plastic emulsion paint

2 coats of plastic emulsion paint over one coat of primer for a 100-square-meter surface
Description	Type	Unit	Quantity	Rate	Amount	Remarks
Workers	Skilled	MDay	5.80	1200.00	6960.00
	Unskilled	MDay	5.80	900.00	5220.00
Materials	Plastic emulsion paint	Ltr.	12.00	544.00	6528.00
	Primer	Ltr.	8.00	253.00	2024.00
Equipment's cost is 3% of unskilled workers cost.					156.60
Sub-Total					20888.60
Contractor's overhead and profit at 15%					3133.29
Total cost per 100 sq. m. of plastic emulsion painting work					24021.89
Cost per square meter of plastic emulsion painting work					240.22

In words: Rs. two hundred forty and twenty-two paisa only.

 

Case 3: Weather coat paint

2 coats of weather coat paint over one coat of primer for a 100-square-meter surface
Description	Type	Unit	Quantity	Rate	Amount	Remarks
Workers	Skilled	MDay	5.80	1200.00	6960.00
	Unskilled	MDay	5.80	900.00	5220.00
Materials	Weather coat paint	Ltr.	12.00	536.00	6432.00
	Primer	Ltr.	8.00	253.00	2024.00
Equipment's cost is 3% of unskilled workers cost.					156.60
Sub-Total					20792.60
Contractor's overhead and profit at 15%					3118.89
Total cost per 100 sq. m. of weather coat painting work					23911.49
Cost per square meter of weather coat painting work					239.15

In words: Rs. two hundred thirty-nine and fifteen paisa only.

 

Others

There are other luxury paints and texture designs available in the local market with different branding and pricing. You can go for those options too. For enamel paint work, we will have a separate detail analysis blog.