HandbookMaterial Wastage Factors

Material Wastage Factors

CPWD Norms · CPWD Analysis of Rates — Standard Wastage Percentages
Wastage allowances to add while estimating material quantities. These account for handling losses, breakage, offcuts, spillage, and non-recoverable material. Always include wastage in BOQ and procurement.
CPWDTry Material Estimator
36 items shown
Cement & Binders
MaterialWastage %Reason
Cement (bags)2–3%Handling, bag tears, hardening, spillage
Cement (bulk/silo)1–2%Pipe residue, moisture
Lime5%Slaking loss, handling
Fly Ash2–3%Wind loss, handling
Wall Putty5%Trowel waste, mixing
Steel Reinforcement
MaterialWastage %Reason
TMT Bars (straight lengths)3–5%Offcuts from standard 12m lengths
TMT Bars (with laps included)5–8%Lapping adds 5–8% over net BBS weight
Structural Steel (sections)5–7%Cutting, holes, offcuts
Binding Wire5%Short pieces, tangling
Welding Electrodes10–15%Stubs, failed strikes
Aggregates & Sand
MaterialWastage %Reason
Coarse Aggregate (20mm, 10mm)3–5%Handling, spreading, contamination
Fine Aggregate / Sand3–5%Wind loss, spreading, bulking
M-Sand (manufactured sand)2–3%Lower than river sand
Metal / WBM aggregate5%Road work spreading loss
Bricks & Blocks
MaterialWastage %Reason
Clay Bricks (common)5–10%Breakage in transport and handling
Fly Ash Bricks3–5%Less breakage than clay
AAC Blocks3–5%Cutting waste at corners/openings
Concrete Blocks (solid/hollow)3–5%Chipping, breakage
Paving Blocks / Tiles5–8%Cutting at edges, breakage
Timber & Formwork
MaterialWastage %Reason
Timber (sawn)10–15%Sawing, offcuts, knots, splits
Plywood (shuttering)5–10%Cutting, damage per reuse cycle
Plywood — number of reuses10–15 usesFilm-faced: 15, plain: 8–10
Steel Formwork1–2% per useDamage, bending
Flooring & Finishes
MaterialWastage %Reason
Ceramic / Vitrified Tiles5–8%Cutting at edges, breakage
Marble / Granite slabs8–12%Irregular shapes, cutting
Kota Stone5–8%
Glass (sheets)3–5%Cutting, breakage
Paints & Coatings
MaterialWastage %Reason
Emulsion Paint5%Brush/roller absorption, spillage
Enamel Paint5–8%Thinner evaporation, drips
Primer5%
Waterproofing coating5–10%Uneven surface, overlaps
Bitumen3–5%Heating loss, spillage
Plumbing & Electrical
MaterialWastage %Reason
PVC / CPVC Pipes3–5%Offcuts, fittings
GI Pipes5–8%Threading, cutting
Electrical Wires / Cables3–5%Routing, offcuts
Conduits (PVC/GI)5%Bending, offcuts
Notes
CPWD rate analysis includes wastage in material coefficients — don't double-count
Site-specific factors may increase wastage: poor storage, unskilled labor, bad roads
Steel wastage can be minimized with proper BBS and bar cutting optimization
For tender purposes, include wastage in BOQ quantities, not as a separate line item
Bulk purchases reduce wastage per unit but increase storage risk
Good site management can reduce wastage by 30–50% compared to industry averages
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