HandbookLabour Productivity (CPWD Output Norms)

Labour Productivity (CPWD Output Norms)

CPWD DSR / Analysis of Rates · Standard outputs from CPWD Analysis of Rates
Standard daily output per skilled worker for common construction activities, based on CPWD norms used across Indian government works. Use for crew sizing, schedule planning, and cost estimation. Productivity varies ±20–30% with site conditions, weather, supervision, and worker skill — use as a benchmark, not a guarantee.
CPWDTry Cost Calculator
36 items shown
Concrete Work (per mason per 8-hour day)
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
PCC 1:4:8 / 1:5:10 (mass)5.0–7.0m³ per day1 mason + 4 labourers + 1 mixerHand mixing — half output
PCC 1:3:6 (column footings)4.0–5.0m³ per day1 mason + 3 labourers
RCC slab (M20/M25, machine mixed)3.0–4.0m³ per day1 mason + 4 labourersIncludes vibration & finishing
RCC beam (M20/M25)2.5–3.5m³ per day1 mason + 4 labourersSmaller pours, more handling
RCC column (M20/M25)1.5–2.5m³ per day1 mason + 4 labourersVertical pour, slower
Concrete pump (RMC)30–50m³/hr (pump rate)1 pump op + 6 labourersFar higher than manual
Brickwork (per mason per day)
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
Brickwork in foundation/plinth (1:4)1.5–2.0m³ per day1 mason + 2 labourers≈ 750 bricks/day
Brickwork in superstructure (1:6)1.0–1.5m³ per day1 mason + 2 labourers≈ 500 bricks/day
Half-brick wall (115 mm)8.0–10.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourerPartition walls
AAC block work (200 mm)5.0–7.0m³ per day1 mason + 2 labourersFaster than brick
RR (random rubble) masonry1.0–1.5m³ per day1 mason + 2 labourers
Coursed rubble masonry0.8–1.2m³ per day1 mason + 2 labourersSlower due to dressing
Plastering (per mason per day)
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
Internal plaster 12 mm (1:6)10.0–12.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourerSingle coat
External plaster 15 mm (1:5)8.0–10.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourerSand-faced finish
Two-coat external plaster 20 mm6.0–8.0m² per day1 mason + 2 labourersBoth coats
Ceiling plaster 6 mm8.0–10.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourerSlower — overhead work
Punning (white finish 3 mm)15.0–20.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourerLime / POP
Pointing (re-pointing brickwork)8.0–10.0m² per day1 mason + 1 labourer
Steel & Reinforcement
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
Bar bending & cutting100–150kg per fitter per day1 bar bender + 1 helperIncludes BBS
Reinforcement fixing in slabs300–400kg per fitter per day1 fitter + 2 helpersHigher for larger bars
Reinforcement fixing in columns200–300kg per fitter per day1 fitter + 2 helpersSlower — vertical work
Reinforcement fixing in beams250–350kg per fitter per day1 fitter + 2 helpers
Structural steel erection (heavy)1.0–2.0tonne per crew per day1 erector + 4 fitters + craneIndustrial sheds
Finishing & Other Trades
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
Tile laying (300×300 floor)10.0–15.0m² per day1 mason + 1 helperLarger tiles slower
Tile laying (600×600 floor)8.0–12.0m² per day1 mason + 1 helper
Wall tiling (kitchen/bath)6.0–8.0m² per day1 mason + 1 helperVertical work, slower
Polished kota / marble4.0–6.0m² per day1 mason + 1 helperIncludes grinding
Shuttering (column)8.0–12.0m² per carpenter per day1 carpenter + 1 helper
Shuttering (slab + beam)6.0–10.0m² per carpenter per day1 carpenter + 1 helperIncluding props & soffit
Painting — primer30.0–40.0m² per painter per day1 painter + 1 helperSmooth surface
Painting — emulsion (2 coats)20.0–25.0m² per painter per day1 painter + 1 helper
Painting — exterior textured15.0–20.0m² per painter per day1 painter + 1 helper
Earthwork & Excavation
ActivityOutputUnitCrewNote
Excavation (manual, ordinary soil)2.5–3.5m³ per labourer per dayLabourer onlyLoose soil, depth ≤ 1.5 m
Excavation (manual, hard soil)1.5–2.0m³ per labourer per dayLabourer + pickaxeMurum, weathered rock
Excavation (machine, JCB 3CX)60–100m³ per machine per day1 operatorPlus dumpers
Backfilling with compaction5.0–7.0m³ per labourer per day1 labourer + manual rammer
Notes
These are CPWD norms — contractor productivity is often ±30% in either direction
Productivity drops ~25% in monsoon, ~15% in extreme heat (>40°C), ~20% in night work
Always add 10–15% supervision overhead when computing crew sizes
First day on a new task: expect 60–70% of normal output (learning curve)
Output goes up 20–30% in repetitive work (e.g., 50+ identical floors)
Don't size crews from output alone — also check the working area / front available
For heavy industrial work, refer to RCD/IOC/NTPC norms — these are typically lower than CPWD
Use these for offer preparation; for actuals, log site productivity weekly and recalibrate
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