Rate Analysis for Brickwork — Per Cubic Metre Cost

Introduction

Brickwork is the most common masonry construction in India, used for load-bearing walls, partition walls, and compound walls. A reliable rate analysis for brickwork is essential for contractors preparing estimates, verifying RA bills, and comparing alternative materials like fly ash bricks or AAC blocks.

This guide provides a detailed rate analysis for standard brick masonry in 1:6 cement mortar per cubic metre, using 2025-26 Indian market rates.

Standard Specifications

For this rate analysis, we use the following specifications:

• Brick type: First class burnt clay brick as per IS 1077
• Brick size: 190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm (standard modular size)
• Brick with mortar: 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm (10 mm joints)
• Mortar: Cement mortar 1:6 (cement : sand by volume)
• Bond: English bond for walls 9 inches (230 mm) and above
• Curing: Minimum 7 days

Material Quantities per Cubic Metre

Step 1: Number of Bricks

Volume of one brick with mortar = 0.2 x 0.1 x 0.1 = 0.002 cum

Number of bricks = 1 / 0.002 = 500 bricks

With 5% wastage (breakage during transport and laying): 500 bricks (wastage factored into procurement).

Step 2: Mortar Volume

Volume of bricks (without mortar) in 1 cum of masonry:

• Volume of 500 bricks = 500 x (0.19 x 0.09 x 0.09) = 500 x 0.001539 = 0.77 cum
• Mortar volume (wet) = 1.0 - 0.77 = 0.23 cum

Since dry mortar volume is approximately 30% more than wet volume (due to voids):

• Dry mortar volume = 0.23 x 1.30 = 0.30 cum

Step 3: Cement Quantity

For CM 1:6, total parts = 1 + 6 = 7

• Cement volume = (1/7) x 0.30 = 0.0429 cum
• Cement weight = 0.0429 x 1,440 = 61.7 kg
• Cement bags = 61.7 / 50 = 1.23 bags
• With 3% wastage: 1.26 bags

Step 4: Sand Quantity

• Sand volume = (6/7) x 0.30 = 0.257 cum
• With 15% bulking allowance: 0.30 cum

Summary of Material Quantities per Cum

Material	Quantity per cum
First class bricks	500 nos
OPC cement (50 kg bags)	1.26 bags
Sand	0.30 cum
Water	~75 litres

Cost Breakdown — Brickwork per Cubic Metre (2025-26)

Material Cost

Item	Quantity	Rate (Rs)	Amount (Rs)
First class bricks	500 nos	Rs 9/brick	4,500
OPC 43-grade cement	1.26 bags	Rs 380/bag	479
River sand / M-sand	0.30 cum	Rs 3,500/cum	1,050
Water	75 litres	—	15
Sub-total: Materials			6,044

Labour Cost

Labour component	Rate per cum (Rs)
Brick laying (mason + helper)	500-700
Mortar mixing	100-150
Scaffolding erection and removal	80-120
Curing (7 days)	80-120
Material handling (loading, stacking)	40-60
Total labour	800-1,150

Sundries

Item	Amount (Rs)
Scaffolding material (bamboo, planks)	50-80
Thread, plumb bob, spirit level hire	20-30
Miscellaneous	30-40
Total sundries	100-150

Contractor Overhead and Profit (15%)

On a sub-total of approximately Rs 7,044 (materials + mid-range labour + sundries):

• 15% overhead + profit = Rs 1,057

Final Rate Summary

Component	Amount (Rs)
Materials	6,044
Labour (average)	975
Sundries	125
Sub-total	7,144
Overhead + profit (15%)	1,072
Total per cum	8,216

The practical rate for first class brickwork in 1:6 CM ranges from Rs 6,500 to Rs 8,500 per cum across Indian cities in 2025-26.

Brick Type Comparison — Cost per Cubic Metre

Different brick types significantly affect the overall masonry cost. Here is a comparison for 1 cum of masonry:

Parameter	First Class Red Brick	Fly Ash Brick	AAC Block (600x200x200mm)
Unit size (mm)	190 x 90 x 90	230 x 110 x 75	600 x 200 x 200
Units per cum	500	390	42
Unit rate	Rs 8-12/brick	Rs 6-8/brick	Rs 55-75/block
Material cost per cum	Rs 4,000-6,000	Rs 2,340-3,120	Rs 2,310-3,150
Cement consumption	1.26 bags	1.05 bags	0.50 bags
Sand consumption	0.30 cum	0.25 cum	Adhesive mortar (less sand)
Labour cost per cum	Rs 800-1,200	Rs 700-1,000	Rs 500-700
Curing required	7-10 days	7-10 days	Minimal
Total cost per cum	Rs 6,500-8,500	Rs 4,800-6,200	Rs 4,500-6,500

Key Observations

• Fly ash bricks are 15-25% cheaper overall due to lower unit cost and better dimensional accuracy (less mortar wastage). They also offer better thermal insulation.
• AAC blocks are the most economical for non-load-bearing walls. Their large size means fewer joints, less mortar, and faster construction (saving labour cost).
• Red clay bricks remain preferred for load-bearing walls and exposed brickwork due to higher compressive strength and aesthetic appeal.

Labour Rates by City

City	Mason (per day)	Helper (per day)	Brickwork rate (per cum)
Mumbai	Rs 900-1,100	Rs 550-650	Rs 1,000-1,200
Delhi NCR	Rs 800-1,000	Rs 500-600	Rs 900-1,100
Bengaluru	Rs 800-950	Rs 500-600	Rs 850-1,050
Chennai	Rs 750-900	Rs 450-550	Rs 800-1,000
Lucknow	Rs 600-750	Rs 350-450	Rs 550-700
Patna	Rs 550-700	Rs 300-400	Rs 500-650

Note: Above labour rates are for brickwork only (laying). Separate rates apply for scaffolding and curing.

IS Code References

IS 1905:1987 — Code of Practice for Structural Use of Unreinforced Masonry

• Specifies permissible stresses for brick masonry based on brick strength and mortar type.
• Minimum brick strength for load-bearing walls: 5 N/sq mm for single-storey, 10 N/sq mm for multi-storey.
• Mortar designations: M1 (1:6 CM — most common), M2 (1:4 CM — stronger), H1 (1:3 CM — high strength).

IS 2212:1991 — Bricks: Methods of Testing

• Compressive strength test: Minimum 10 N/sq mm for first class.
• Water absorption test: Maximum 15% for first class, 20% for second class.
• Efflorescence test: Nil to slight for first class.
• Dimensional tolerance: Length +/- 3%, width and height +/- 4%.

IS 1077:1992 — Common Burnt Clay Bricks

• Classification: First class, second class, and common bricks.
• Standard size: 190 x 90 x 90 mm (modular), 230 x 115 x 75 mm (traditional non-modular).

IS 1200 — Measurement Rules

• Brickwork measured in cubic metres for walls thicker than half-brick.
• Half-brick walls (115 mm) measured in square metres.
• Deductions for openings exceeding 0.1 sq m.
• No deduction for ends of beams, lintels, or posts resting on walls.

Worked Example — Rate Analysis for 10 cum of Brickwork

Project: 9-inch brick wall for a residential building in Pune.

Item	Quantity	Rate (Rs)	Amount (Rs)
First class bricks	5,000 nos	Rs 10/brick	50,000
OPC cement	12.6 bags	Rs 380/bag	4,788
Sand	3.0 cum	Rs 3,200/cum	9,600
Water	750 litres	Lump sum	150
Materials sub-total			64,538
Mason (8 days)	8 man-days	Rs 850/day	6,800
Helper (16 days)	16 man-days	Rs 500/day	8,000
Scaffolding labour	L.S.		1,200
Curing labour	L.S.		800
Labour sub-total			16,800
Sundries	L.S.		1,200
Grand total			82,538
Overhead + profit (15%)			12,381
Final total for 10 cum			94,919
Rate per cum			Rs 9,492

This Pune rate is higher than the all-India average because Pune has elevated sand and brick prices in 2025-26 due to limited quarry access.

Tips for Accurate Brickwork Rate Analysis

1. Check brick rates at the kiln — Brick prices fluctuate seasonally. Summer rates (March-June) are typically 10-15% lower as kilns operate at full capacity.
2. Factor transport cost separately — Bricks are heavy. Transport from kiln to site can add Rs 1,000-2,000 per 1,000 bricks depending on distance.
3. Account for breakage — 3-5% breakage during transport and 2-3% during laying is normal. Order accordingly.
4. Soaking bricks — Bricks must be soaked for 12-24 hours before laying. Factor in water cost and labour for soaking.
5. Use fly ash bricks for internal walls — Significant cost savings without structural compromise for non-load-bearing partitions.

Next Steps

• Brick, Cement, Sand Quantity for 10x10 Room — Worked calculation for a standard room
• Rate Analysis for Plastering — Internal and external plaster costing
• Introduction to Estimating and Costing — Fundamentals of construction estimation