Mumbai rates
| Item | Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of a 115 mm brick wall | ₹35–65 | per sq ft |
| Debris removal and disposal | ₹18–40 | per sq ft of demolition |
| New 115 mm block wall | ₹120–190 | per sq ft |
| Internal plaster, 12 mm | ₹38–65 | per sq ft |
| Floor screed, 40–50 mm | ₹55–95 | per sq ft |
| Chasing for conduit and making good | ₹120–220 | per running metre |
Debris disposal is the line most often omitted. In a tower with one service lift and a restricted window, it can cost as much as the demolition itself.
What you may not do in a Mumbai flat
- No touching columns, beams or shear walls — ever, under any circumstances.
- No demolition of an external wall or a wall between flats without structural advice and society consent.
- No chasing horizontally through a structural member; vertical chases only, and limited in depth.
- No change to a common drainage stack or a fire sprinkler line without written approval.
- No work outside society hours, which in most Mumbai buildings means 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays only.
The permissions that go with it
Civil work is the part of a project that triggers paperwork. A society NOC is required, usually with a refundable deposit of ₹25,000–2 lakh, a list of workers, an undertaking on working hours and sometimes a structural engineer's letter. For anything that changes the footprint of a room, BMC rules apply as well. Build the approval time into the programme — two to four weeks is normal, and it cannot be compressed by starting early.
Civil work versus MEP versus joinery
Civil is the wet trades and the structure; MEP is the services; joinery is the furniture and fitted cabinetry. Quotations sometimes exclude civil entirely, which is legitimate as long as it is stated — but it means the number you are comparing is not the number you will pay. See home renovation costs and society rules for renovation.
Frequently asked questions
Is civil work included in an interior quotation?+
Often not. It is one of the four items most commonly excluded, along with electrical modifications, society charges and painting. Ask for it as a priced line or a provisional sum so the comparison between quotations is real.
Can I remove a wall in a Mumbai flat?+
A non-structural partition, usually yes, with society permission. A column, beam or shear wall, never. If you cannot tell which it is from the drawing, a structural engineer's opinion costs ₹8,000–20,000 and is money well spent.
How much does debris removal cost?+
₹18–40 per sq ft of demolition in Mumbai, and more in a tower with restricted lift access. Societies frequently mandate a specific contractor or specific hours, both of which raise the figure.
How long does civil work take in a flat renovation?+
One to three weeks of work, plus curing time before the next trade can start — screed and plaster both need days to dry. In the monsoon, add a week. It is the phase that most often sets the critical path.