Most budget overruns are not surprises in the building; they are items that were never in the budget. Listing them up front turns them into planned costs.
Commonly Excluded Items
| Item | Typical range in Hyderabad (2026) |
|---|---|
| Building permission and fees | Varies with plot area and floors |
| Architect and structural design | Often 2 – 5% of construction cost, or a fixed fee |
| Soil test | A small fixed cost |
| Sump (underground tank) | ₹1 lakh – ₹2.5 lakh by capacity |
| Septic tank or sewer connection | ₹50,000 – ₹1.5 lakh |
| Compound wall and gate | ₹2 lakh – ₹5 lakh+ by length and design |
| Borewell | ₹1 lakh – ₹2.5 lakh by depth |
| Water and electricity connections | Varies |
| Interiors (kitchen, wardrobes, ceilings) | ₹3 lakh – ₹15 lakh+ |
Site Costs Owners Forget
- Water during construction — tanker water for mixing and weeks of curing.
- Temporary electricity and a generator for pour days.
- Security for materials on site.
- Debris removal and site cleaning.
- Material wastage — commonly 5–10% on an unmanaged site.
- Price movement over a build of 9–14 months.
Tax
Cement and TMT steel both carry 18% GST. A quote that excludes GST can look ₹40–50 cheaper per bag of cement than one that includes it. Compare like with like.
A Budget Template
| Head | Share |
|---|---|
| Building (per sq ft × built-up area) | 100% |
| Extras above (approvals, sump, wall, etc.) | + 10 – 20% |
| Contingency | + 10% |
| Interiors | Separately |
The Short Version
Add 10–20% for everything a per sq ft rate leaves out and 10% contingency on top, confirm GST in every price, and plan site water, power and wastage. The overruns you plan for are not overruns.
